A legal dispute surrounding the academic qualifications of Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa has escalated, with lawyers representing the MP demanding Ksh.100 million in damages from the Consumer Federation of Kenya (COFEK) over publications concerning his academic credentials. Barasa has denied claims that he attended Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) or pursued an engineering programme there.
In a demand letter dated September 21, 2026, lawyers Danstan Omari, Shadrack Wambui and Jeff Kangethe accused COFEK of publishing allegedly defamatory statements about Barasa between September 14 and September 21, 2026. The lawyers said the publications were intended to lower Barasa’s standing and reputation and demanded that all publications relating to the MP be removed from social media platforms within two hours of receipt of the letter.
The demand comes against the backdrop of court proceedings in which the Consumer Federation has challenged aspects of Barasa’s academic progression and the circumstances surrounding his doctoral qualification. Barasa has completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration at Mount Kenya University in 2021, before obtaining a Master of Arts in Public Administration and Management (Public Policy) in 2022.
According to Barasa's affidavit, he applied to Murang’a University of Technology for admission to a Doctor of Philosophy programme in Public Administration and received provisional admission in January 2023. He underwent several academic processes, including a concept paper presentation, research proposal defence, data analysis and results presentation, seminar and journal paper presentations, and an oral thesis defence.
Barasa further states that the university’s Directorate of Postgraduate Studies issued him with a letter dated June 16, 2026, confirming that he had completed his studies and fulfilled the requirements for the award of a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration, subject to conferment at the university’s next graduation ceremony.
The academic dispute arose after the Consumer Federation of Kenya challenged aspects of Barasa’s academic progression and doctoral qualification before the court. Barasa disputes the factual basis of the petition, arguing that it was founded largely on publicly available information and alleged inconsistencies rather than his actual academic records.
Barasa's lawyers have demanded that COFEK remove and retract the publications they consider defamatory and pay Ksh.100 million in damages. The demand letter warns that failure to comply within two hours could result in legal proceedings.
Key points
- Didmus Barasa demands Ksh.100 million in damages from COFEK.
- Barasa denies attending JKUAT or pursuing an engineering programme.
- The dispute is part of court proceedings challenging Barasa's academic progression and doctoral qualification.
