JKUAT disowns Didmus Barasa’s engineering degree, says MP was never a student

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) has formally disputed an engineering degree certificate attributed to Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, saying he was never a student at the institution.

In a letter dated September 14, 2026, JKUAT Registrar of Academic Affairs Dr Aggrey Wanyama told the Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK) that Barasa's name does not appear in the university's student or alumni records.

The university also said it did not hold a graduation ceremony in May 2008, the date indicated on the certificate.

JKUAT consequently stated that the Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering certificate attributed to Barasa was "NOT GENUINE".

The letter, referenced JKU/2/66/049, was issued after COFEK sought verification of Barasa's academic qualifications.

JKUAT says matter was previously investigated

The university said the issue was not new.

According to the letter, the matter had previously been investigated by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK).

JKUAT said the same information had been communicated to both organisations.

The university, however, did not provide details in the letter on when those investigations took place, what action was taken or whether either agency reached a different conclusion.

That leaves a key question over how the disputed qualification came to appear in public records and what action, if any, was taken after the earlier inquiries.

Questions over Barasa's academic record

The latest development also raises questions about the academic information previously associated with Barasa.

Reports have noted that earlier versions of his parliamentary profile had listed a JKUAT engineering qualification, while more recent records have contained different academic qualifications.

Barasa has also recently been publicly identified as having obtained a PhD in Public Administration from Murang'a University of Technology.

The latest JKUAT letter specifically concerns the Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering qualification and should not be read as a statement about his other academic qualifications.

COFEK seeks accountability

COFEK Secretary-General Stephen Mutoro has called on the relevant agencies to explain what action followed the earlier investigations into Barasa's qualifications.

The development places renewed attention on the systems used to verify academic credentials held by public officials, particularly where qualifications are used in professional or public records.

JKUAT's statement is significant because it comes directly from the university's Registrar of Academic Affairs and is contained in a formal response to a credential-verification request.

However, the university's finding does not by itself establish who produced the disputed certificate, how it was obtained or whether Barasa personally forged or knowingly used it.

Those questions would require separate investigation and evidence.

What happens next?

The letter has renewed scrutiny of the role of regulatory bodies in verifying academic and professional qualifications.

JKUAT says EACC and EBK had previously received the same information. It remains unclear from the university's letter what action those agencies took following the earlier inquiries.

As of publication, no substantive response from Barasa addressing the latest JKUAT letter was identified in the reports reviewed.

The issue is therefore likely to shift from whether JKUAT recognises the qualification to the broader questions of how the certificate entered official records, who relied on it and what action was taken when concerns were previously raised.

About the Author

Maureen Onyango is a journalist passionate about storytelling, life coaching and spiritual lessons. She studied at the Kenya Institute of Management and enjoys telling stories that inform, inspire and empower communities.