JKUAT Disputes Didmus Barasa’s Engineering Degree, Says Certificate Is Not Genuine

Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa has come under fresh scrutiny after Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) disputed the authenticity of an engineering degree certificate associated with him.

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

The university also stated that it did not hold a graduation ceremony in May 2008, the period indicated on the disputed Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering certificate.

Based on its verification, JKUAT concluded that the certificate was “NOT GENUINE.”

JKUAT says Barasa is not in its records

According to the university, its verification exercise found no academic records showing that Barasa studied at the institution.

The registrar said JKUAT had checked its records and established that the MP was not a student at the university.

The finding is significant because the disputed document purports to show that Barasa graduated from JKUAT with a Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree.

JKUAT, however, says there is no corresponding student or graduation record to support the qualification.

The university also noted that the date indicated on the certificate does not correspond with its graduation calendar, saying no graduation ceremony was held in May 2008.

EACC and EBK had reportedly received information

JKUAT further indicated that the matter had previously been brought to the attention of other institutions.

According to the university, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) had earlier investigated or received information concerning the qualification.

JKUAT said the same information regarding the legitimacy of the certificate had been communicated to the two institutions.

The latest response has therefore raised fresh questions about the outcome of those earlier inquiries and whether any action was taken following the information provided by the university.

COFEK seeks clarification

The latest development follows efforts by COFEK to establish the authenticity of Barasa’s academic credentials.

JKUAT’s letter provides a formal position from the institution named on the disputed certificate, stating that Barasa does not appear in its student or alumni records and that the university did not hold the graduation ceremony indicated on the document.

The university consequently maintains that the certificate is not genuine.

Questions now turn to EACC and EBK

JKUAT’s position is likely to put renewed focus on the agencies that previously received information concerning Barasa’s academic qualification.

The university has now formally stated that Barasa’s name does not appear in its alumni records, that there was no May 2008 graduation ceremony and that the disputed certificate is “NOT GENUINE.”

Attention will now turn to what EACC and EBK established during their earlier inquiries and whether their investigations resulted in any findings or action.