By Special Correspondent
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) has formally disowned the academic credentials of Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Wekesa Baraza, confirming that an alleged Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree held by the lawmaker is not genuine.
In an official verification letter dated September 14, 2026, signed by JKUAT Registrar of Academic Affairs Aggrey Wanyama, the university clarified that the MP was never enrolled as a student at the institution.
“We have established that Hon. Didmus Wekesa Baraza was not a student in JKUAT. His name does not appear in our alumni records, and JKUAT did not have a graduation in May 2008. His certificate for the Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering program is therefore not genuine,” stated Wanyama.
The registrar further noted that the discrepancy is not new, revealing that both the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) had previously investigated the matter and received identical confirmation from the institution.
When contacted to confirm the authenticity of the official communication, a senior university official who sought anonymity affirmed the university’s position.
“We have done our part in setting the record straight. We don’t know who that man is,” the official remarked.
A Questionable Academic Timeline
The university’s revelation casts fresh light on the lawmaker’s complex and often overlapping academic records. Baraza’s educational trajectory includes several degrees obtained in unusually close proximity:
- 2004: Graduated with a Diploma in Electrical & Electronics Engineering from the Institute of Energy Studies.
- August 6, 2021: Graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Mount Kenya University (MKU).
- August 9, 2022: Graduated with a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Mount Kenya University (MKU)—just one year after completing his undergraduate degree.
Beyond his MKU qualifications, the MP’s public profile lists several other high-level credentials, including:
- A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from JKUAT (dated 2005 on some records, despite JKUAT citing a May 2008 certificate).
- A Graduate Diploma in Security Systems Audit from the University of Sydney, Australia (2005).
- A Master’s degree in Occupational Health, Security, and Safety Science from Queensland University, Australia (2009).
Observers have pointed out that the official National Assembly website has previously hosted conflicting profile pages regarding the lawmaker’s educational background, raising further questions about the concurrent timelines of his studies in Kenya and abroad.
PhD Claims
The JKUAT clarification comes shortly after the Kimilili MP took to social media to celebrate the completion of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree, thanking his spouse for her support throughout his academic journey.
“To my steadfast companion who has been my support system, thank you for walking with me throughout this journey. I truly appreciate you,” Baraza wrote in a heartwarming message dedicated to his wife.
Neither MP Baraza nor his representatives have issued a formal response to JKUAT’s latest statement.
