MP Didmus Barasa fights back ghosts of fake against papers

Mkiminini MP Didmus Wekesa Barasa vehemently defended his academic achievements on Thursday, countering allegations that questioned his earned PhD. The legislator boldly declared himself "the new doctor in town" and challenged his critics to pursue genuine research rather than indulging in what he deemed as political chatter. Addressing activist Stephen Mutoro and others who had been raising doubts about his academic journey, Barasa established himself as "Didmus Barasa, PhD" or "Dr.

Didmus Barasa" to dispel any ambiguity surrounding his title. The MP explained that his doctoral studies were motivated by a significant research gap concerning socio-economic issues in Bungoma County. He reiterated that a PhD is not merely an academic title but a scholarly response to a recognized research gap. Simultaneously, Barasa redirected his response into a political challenge, offering Mutoro and his colleagues a "free research topic."

He posed a question about why, unlike other breakaway politicians from the ODM and UDA, the leader of the TAWE Movement, George Natembeya, has not registered a political party. Barasa provided names of politicians like Caleb Hamisi, Ndindi Nyoro, and Babu Owino who have established or lead political parties, suggesting that the absence of a party for Natembeya's TAWE Movement could be a research topic for his critics.

This exchange unfolded amid heightened scrutiny of Kenyan politicians' academic credentials, with political considerations often intensifying when politicians vie for public office or senior positions. Barasa, affiliated with the Kenya Kwanza coalition, emphasized the potential for his critics to earn doctorates by filling the identified research gap in questions regarding political party affiliations.