A legal battle over the academic qualifications of Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa has intensified. His legal team has demanded Ksh100 million in damages from the Consumer Federation of Kenya (COFEK) over allegedly defamatory social media publications. The demand letter, dated September 21, 2026, was sent by attorneys Danstan Omari, Shadrack Wambui, and Jeff Kangethe. They accused COFEK of launching a campaign to tarnish Barasa's character through posts published between September 14 and September 21, 2026.
Barasa's legal team issued a strict two-hour ultimatum to COFEK to retract and delete all publications regarding the MP across their social media handles. Failure to comply would result in immediate court action. Alongside the demand letter, Barasa filed a replying affidavit in court to address COFEK's suit, which questioned the legitimacy and speed of his academic progression toward a doctorate degree.
The lawmaker refuted claims that he studied engineering at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), stating that he never attended the institution. Instead, Barasa detailed his educational journey, which included a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration at Mount Kenya University in 2021. He then earned a Master of Arts in Public Administration and Management (Public Policy) from the same institution in 2022.
Following his master's degree, Murang'a University of Technology granted Barasa provisional admission to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme in Public Administration in January 2023. He outlined the thorough academic steps he undertook during his doctoral studies, including presenting his concept paper, defending his research proposal, analyzing data, presenting seminars and journal articles, and successfully passing his final oral thesis defense.
Barasa supported his claims with an official letter from Murang'a University's Directorate of Postgraduate Studies, dated June 16, 2026. The letter confirmed that he had satisfied all academic requirements for the award of a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration, pending formal conferment at the university's next graduation ceremony.
Barasa maintains that COFEK built its court challenge on unverified social media chatter and superficial inconsistencies rather than examining his official academic files. His legal representatives warned that if COFEK fails to comply with the retraction demand and the Ksh100 million compensation payout, they will file a defamation lawsuit without further notice.
The case highlights the intense scrutiny Kenyan lawmakers face regarding their academic qualifications. Barasa's situation underscores the importance of verifying information before publication, especially when it concerns public figures. The outcome of this case may have implications for future instances of online defamation and the responsibility of social media platforms in disseminating information.
Key points
- Didmus Barasa demands Ksh100 million in damages from COFEK over allegedly defamatory social media posts.
- Barasa refutes claims of attending JKUAT and provides evidence of his academic progression through accredited Kenyan universities.
- The case emphasizes the need for verification of information before publication, especially concerning public figures.
