Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa has established himself as one of the most vocal politicians in the country and a strong supporter of Deputy President William Ruto.
His red hat makes him stand out from a crowd of thousands to the extent it is now kind of his trademark.
Though his recent political manoeuvres are in the public, the politician's rise to the top remains relatively unknown to many.
Education
Barasa attended Kimilili Boys Secondary School now St Lukes Kimilili Boys High School, between 1996 and 2000.
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He excelled in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams and was selected to the Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology where he pursued a Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
However, over the years, there has been a debate over the legitimacy of some of the MP's academic credentials and his time in service.
Contradiction
This is because the records on his parliament profile contradict what has been revealed by persons privy to his service record.
According to the National Assembly website, Barasa worked for the Air Force as a captain attached to the technical wing between 2001 and 2007.
“Between 2001 and 2007 employed by the Kenya Defence Forces, Technical Wing (KAF) as captain,” the MP’s CV reads.
The profile further claims that he attended the University of Queensland, Australia, for a Masters degree in Occupational, Health, Security and Safety Science, where he scored a distinction between 2008 and 2009, the same period, he claims to have been attending a diploma course at the University of Sydney, Australia.
Verification
On October 1, 2021, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) warned Barasa against misusing the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) titles.
The anti-graft agency accused the lawmaker of impersonating the military officials despite having left the forces. This is because Barasa refers to himself as Captain.
According to EACC, Barasa only worked in the military for one year and 76 days before he was relieved of his duties over absenteeism and forgery.
“That you served in the Kenya Defense Forces for a period of one year and 76 between October 28, 2007, to February 26, 2009. That upon separation of service you had only attained the rank of Private," his dismissal letter read.
Barasa graduated in May 2008 and then proceeded to the Kenya Defense Technical College at the Laikipia Airbase in Nanyuki.
EACC in a letter copied to Speaker Justin Muturi and KDF General Robert Kibochi sounded a warning to Barasa telling him to cease from using the title.
“This is one of the unfortunate cases of senior state officials impersonating as former senior military officers when they know very well that they never attained those titles," part of the letter reads.
"The commission hereby warns you against giving false information and misleading the public. You are advised to forthwith cease and desist representing yourself using the KDF military rank of Captain (Rtd). Please note that this violation has been entered into the commission’s database.”
Politics
Barasa is a first time MP and was elected as Kimilili legislator on a Jubilee Party ticket.
Prior allegations indicated that Barasa was a member of the ODM Party and later decamped to Jubilee Party, from where he vied.
He is alleged to have obtained nomination certificates from both parties, before vying with the ruling party.
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