Didmus Barasa graduates with PhD in Public Administration amid mixed reactions

The second-term lawmaker was conferred with the doctorate on Friday, August 28, 2026, during the institution’s 10th Graduation Ceremony.

Barasa’s doctoral thesis, titled "County Governments' Branding Strategies and Service Delivery Satisfaction among Small and Medium Enterprises: A Case of Bungoma County, Kenya," focused on public administration dynamics within local government frameworks. 

His academic research was supervised by Dr Nancy Githaiga and Dr Alice Omariba.

Throughout his tenure as Kimilili MP, Barasa has placed significant emphasis on education, steering constituency development funds toward school infrastructure upgrades and bursaries for needy students.

The legislator, who has set his sights on running for the Bungoma Gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Elections, stated that if elected, he plans to leverage his administrative knowledge to shape the county's governance and ease the school fee burden on parents.

Barasa’s academic milestone comes amidst persistent public scrutiny and debate over his credentials.

Addressing critics in June 2026 after sharing a letter from Murang'a University confirming his completion of degree requirements, Barasa refuted claims questioning his educational background. 

"I heard someone say that I didn't go to school, that I stole someone's certificate... I'm the most learned MP in Bungoma County. I have two undergraduate degrees and two Masters. I completed my PhD and I will graduate with a doctorate next month," Barasa asserted at the time.

However, civil society groups have expressed skepticism. 

Stephen Mutoro, Secretary-General of the Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK), publicly challenged the qualification, alleging that the MP's undergraduate credentials could not be verified and calling on the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate the university's decision.

This is not the first time the MP's academic qualifications have drawn attention. 

In 2024, Barasa, alongside fellow MPs John Waluke and Oscar Sudi, was awarded an honorary doctorate by Northwestern Christian University. 

The CUE later declared those honorary degrees invalid, clarifying that the institution was not accredited to operate or award degrees in Kenya.

Despite the surrounding debates, Murang'a University of Technology officially conferred the doctorate upon Barasa during Friday's commencement exercises.