Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) has denied awarding Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
In a letter dated Monday, September 14, JKUAT Registrar, Academic Affairs Dr Aggrey Wanyama, informed the Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK) that the degree certificate presented by Barasa was not issued by the university.
The university said its records showed that Barasa was not a student at JKUAT and that his name was missing from the institution’s alumni records.
Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa. Photo: Courtesy.
JKUAT also noted that it did not hold a graduation ceremony in May 2008, the year Barasa allegedly graduated.
The university therefore concluded that the certificate presented as proof of a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering was not genuine.
Wanyama further said JKUAT had notified the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK), which were investigating the authenticity of the document.
The development has raised questions over Barasa’s professional credentials and how he has continued to present himself as an engineer.
COFEK questioned whether EBK was aware of the alleged forgery and, if so, why the matter had not resulted in further action.
The consumer rights organisation argued that presenting a forged academic certificate amounts to fraud and called for investigations into whether the document was used to obtain professional recognition or gain access to elective office.
The allegations come amid growing scrutiny of the academic credentials presented by the Kimilili MP, with the authenticity of his engineering degree now under investigation by relevant authorities.
