"I Studied at MKU, Not JKUAT": Didmus Barasa Refutes Fake Degree Allegations

Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa has dismissed reports linking him to an alleged fake degree from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), clarifying that his undergraduate qualifications were earned at Mount Kenya University (MKU).

Addressing the controversy during an interview on KTN News on Thursday, September 17, 2026, the lawmaker refuted allegations that he holds a Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree from JKUAT, stating instead that he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from MKU. He added that he holds a Doctorate in Public Administration from Murang’a University.

The MP’s statement follows a letter dated September 14 from JKUAT Academic Registrar Aggrey Wanyama to the Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK). In the communication, JKUAT confirmed it has no record of Barasa as a former student, noting that a Bachelor’s certificate bearing his name and dated May 2008 was not genuine, as the institution held no graduation ceremony that month. JKUAT noted the matter had previously been referred to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Engineers Board of Kenya.

Barasa attributed the degree dispute to a political smear campaign engineered by his opponents. Defending his academic accomplishments, he emphasized that his doctoral research at Murang’a University focused on addressing real-world socio-economic issues in Bungoma County.