Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa has instructed his lawyers to demand KSh 100 million in damages from Consumer Federation of Kenya (COFEK) Secretary General Stephen Mutoro. Barasa accuses Mutoro of publishing defamatory statements about his academic credentials on social media. Lawyer Danstan Omari sent a demand letter to Mutoro, giving him a two-hour window to remove and retract all posts relating to Barasa.
The defamation allegations centre on a sustained social media campaign against Barasa between September 14 and September 21, 2026. Omari described this as a deliberate attempt to damage Barasa's standing in society. The letter warned that failure to comply within the stipulated period would result in legal proceedings being filed against Mutoro.
Barasa has denied reports that he attended Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) or studied engineering there. Instead, he outlined his academic journey: a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration from Mount Kenya University in 2021, followed by a Master of Arts in Public Administration and Management in 2022.
Barasa states that he applied for a doctoral programme at Murang'a University of Technology and received provisional admission in January 2023. He completed all required academic stages, including a concept paper presentation, research proposal defence, data analysis, seminar presentations, and an oral thesis defence.
The university's Directorate of Postgraduate Studies confirmed in a letter dated June 16, 2026, that Barasa had satisfied the requirements for the award of a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration. Formal conferment is scheduled for the next graduation ceremony. Barasa has challenged the factual basis of COFEK's petition, arguing it relies on publicly available information and alleged inconsistencies rather than his actual academic records.
COFEK raised questions about Barasa's academic progression and doctoral qualification in an ongoing court case. Barasa's lawyers argue that Mutoro's social media posts are defamatory and have damaged his reputation. Omari's letter made clear that failure to comply within the stipulated period would result in legal proceedings being filed against Mutoro.
The case has sparked interest in Kenya's political and academic circles, with many following the developments closely. Barasa's academic record has been a subject of controversy, and the outcome of the case may have implications for his political career. The court is yet to rule on the matter, and Mutoro's response to the demand letter is awaited.
Key points
- Didmus Barasa demands KSh100m in damages from COFEK's Stephen Mutoro for defamation over fake PhD claims.
- Barasa denies attending JKUAT or studying engineering, outlining his actual academic journey.
- The case has sparked interest in Kenya's political and academic circles, with many following the developments closely.
