Didmus Barasa: I Earned My Degree From Mount Kenya University, Not JKUAT

Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa has denied allegations that he fraudulently obtained an engineering degree from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), saying the claims are politically motivated.

Speaking in a televised interview on Thursday, Barasa said his academic qualifications were legitimate and could be traced to other universities. He said he holds a Bachelor of Arts and a master's degree from Mount Kenya University, as well as a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration from Murang'a University.

“I have a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Kenya University, master's degree from Mount Kenya University and Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration from Murang'a University,” he told KTN.

His comments followed a letter from JKUAT to the Consumer Federation of Kenya (Cofek), in which the university denied that Barasa had ever been enrolled at the institution. JKUAT Registrar of Academic Affairs Dr Aggrey Wanyama told Cofek that Barasa's name does not appear in the university's alumni records. He also said there was no graduation ceremony at the university in May 2008, the date shown on the disputed certificate.

“His certificate for Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering programme is therefore not genuine,” Wanyama wrote.

He added that the matter had previously been reported to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK). Cofek had petitioned the court to verify the authenticity of Barasa's academic qualifications.

The organisation's Secretary General, Stephen Mutoro, said Barasa had sworn an affidavit defending his academic record but argued that documents submitted by the MP raised further questions. Barasa rejected Mutoro's claims and questioned his reasons for pursuing the matter.

“So how can he purport now to be doing background checks, writing to universities?” Barasa asked, suggesting that the scrutiny was aimed at damaging his political standing rather than verifying his qualifications.