Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa has cemented his position as one of Kenya’s most outspoken politicians and a steadfast ally of Deputy President William Ruto.
His signature red hat has become his distinguishing feature, making him easily recognizable in large crowds, to the point where it has become something of his personal emblem.
While his recent political moves are widely known, the journey that took him to where he is today remains a mystery to many. Few are aware of the story behind his climb to political prominence.
Education Background
Barasa attended Kimilili Boys Secondary School, now known as St. Luke’s Kimilili Boys High School, from 1996 to 2000.
After excelling in his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams, he was selected to join Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology, where he pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
However, there have been controversies surrounding the legitimacy of some of the MP’s academic credentials and his service history.
The Contradiction
One of the reasons for this controversy lies in the conflicting records regarding his career in the military. According to his profile on the National Assembly website, Barasa served in the Kenya Air Force’s technical division as a captain between 2001 and 2007.
“From 2001 to 2007, employed by the Kenya Defence Forces, Technical Wing (KAF) as a captain,” reads his parliamentary profile. Additionally, it claims that during this time,
Barasa pursued a Master’s degree in Occupational Health, Security, and Safety Science at the University of Queensland, Australia, between 2008 and 2009, where he graduated with distinction. It also mentions that he completed a diploma at the University of Sydney in the same period.
Verification and Discrepancies
In a twist, on October 1, 2021, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) cautioned Barasa for allegedly misusing military titles.
The commission accused him of impersonating a military officer, even though he had long since left the service. Despite frequently referring to himself as “Captain,” EACC asserted that Barasa had not attained that rank.
According to the EACC, Barasa only served in the military for one year and 76 days before being dismissed due to absenteeism and forgery allegations.
His dismissal letter indicated that he enlisted on October 28, 2007, and was relieved of his duties on February 26, 2009. Upon discharge, he had only reached the rank of Private.
EACC’s letter, which was copied to National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi and KDF General Robert Kibochi, warned Barasa to stop referring to himself as “Captain.”
The commission stressed that impersonation of military ranks was illegal and had been noted in their database.
“This is one of the unfortunate instances of senior state officials posing as former high-ranking military officers, despite knowing they never attained such ranks,” read part of the letter.
The commission urged him to immediately stop misrepresenting himself as a retired captain.
Entry into Politics
Barasa ventured into politics for the first time when he was elected as Kimilili’s MP on a Jubilee Party ticket. Before his election, rumors swirled that Barasa had previously been aligned with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, before switching to Jubilee, where he eventually secured his seat.
It is said that Barasa obtained nomination certificates from both ODM and Jubilee before deciding to run on the latter’s platform. This political maneuver, although criticized by some, paved the way for his success, marking his entry into Kenya’s legislative assembly.
Didmus Barasa’s political career has been marked by both achievement and controversy. His dismissal from the Kenya Defense Forces and his questionable academic records continue to cast shadows over his rise, but his political influence and vocal support for the Deputy President remain undiminished. Despite the scrutiny, Barasa’s journey into the limelight is a testament to the unpredictable nature of Kenyan politics.
