Kenya Minute.
Sunday, 16 August 2026
Kenya’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Sunday, 16 August 2026
Nairobi—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Kenyan press · Person

Didmus Barasa

Also known as: Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa · Didmus Barasa (Kimilili) · Mr Barasa

Kimilili MP who ranked fifth nationally in 2026 Infotrak MP performance ratings and is seeking Bungoma County governorship in 2027.

2026-05-182026-08-16

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. August 2026
  2. The Standard

    Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa condemned the killing and called for a comprehensive investigation.

    Five suspects in custody as DCI intensifies probe into Wasama killing
  3. Capital News

    His death has triggered calls for a comprehensive investigation, with Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa urging detectives to ensure those behind the killing are brought to justice.

    Gachagua accuses state of shielding suspects in killing of Mt Elgon MP hopeful
  4. Capital News

    Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa described the shooting as a senseless act of violence and urged investigators to ensure those responsible face justice.

    Former councillor and 2027 MP hopeful Nathan Wasama killed in gun attack
  5. July 2026
  6. The Standard

    Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa’s academic papers have sparked a court row, with Murang’a University being accused of allegedly failing to scrutinise his past before issuing him with a PhD.

    Murang'a University and CUE sued over Didmus' academic papers
  7. The Standard

    Speaking yesterday at State House, Nairobi, when he hosted grassroots leaders from Bungoma County led by Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, the President maintained that leadership should be measured by service delivery rather than political victories or defeats.

    Forget Ol kalou loss and focus on development, Ruto tells leaders
  8. Capital News

    He spoke during a meeting with a delegation of grassroots leaders from Bungoma County led by Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa at State House, Nairobi, on Friday.

    Ruto tells leaders to prioritise service over politics after Ol Kalou loss
  9. Capital News

    He spoke during a meeting with a delegation of grassroots leaders from Bungoma County led by Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa at State House, Nairobi, on Friday.

    Ruto tells leaders to prioritise service over politics after Ol Kalou loss
  10. Citizen Digital

    tcome By PCS July 17, 2026 01:27 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter President William Ruto speaking during a meeting with a delegation of grassroots leaders from Bungoma County led by Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa

    'Elections are not a matter of life and death,' Ruto speaks after Ol Kalou poll outcome
  11. Citizen Digital

    tcome By PCS July 17, 2026 01:27 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter President William Ruto speaking during a meeting with a delegation of grassroots leaders from Bungoma County led by Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa

    'Elections are not a matter of life and death,' Ruto speaks after Ol Kalou poll outcome
  12. The Standard

    Ruto spoke on Friday during a meeting with grassroots leaders from Bungoma County at State House, Nairobi, led by Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa.

    Ruto breaks silence over DCP Ol Kalou landslide

Wednesday 12 August

  1. Five suspects in custody over Mt Elgon parliamentary hopeful murder

    Five suspects are now in custody following the August 8 shooting death of former Chesikaki councillor and Mt Elgon parliamentary hopeful Nathan Masai Wasama at his shop in Cheptais, Bungoma County. Two additional suspects surrendered on Wednesday as the DCI intensifies its investigation into the high-profile murder.

    12 August 2026 · The Standard

Monday 10 August

  1. Gachagua accuses government of shielding Mt Elgon MP hopeful's killers

    Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused the government of shielding suspects in the killing of Mt Elgon parliamentary candidate Nathan Wasama, claiming authorities ignored repeated warnings that the politician's life was in danger. Gachagua alleged that Wasama reported to police five times that his life was under threat but received no protection before being shot dead at his home in Tuikut, Cheptais, Bungoma County.

    10 August 2026 · Capital News

Friday 7 August

  1. Former councillor and 2027 Mt Elgon MP hopeful shot dead

    Nathan Wasama Masai, a former Chesikaki councillor and parliamentary hopeful for Mt Elgon in 2027, was shot dead after armed attackers stormed his home in Tuikut, Cheptais, Bungoma County on Thursday night. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and succumbed to his injuries; police had not issued an official statement and no arrests had been announced by the time of publication.

    7 August 2026 · Capital News

Wednesday 29 July

  1. Murang'a University sued over Didmus Barasa PhD papers

    Murang'a University and the Commission for University Education are being sued over Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa's academic papers, with the university accused of failing to scrutinise his past before issuing him a PhD.

    29 July 2026 · The Standard

Saturday 18 July

  1. Ruto shifts focus to development after Ol Kalou loss

    President William Ruto has urged leaders to focus on development rather than political victories or defeats, telling grassroots leaders from Bungoma County that leadership should be measured by service delivery. He unveiled projects and fresh promises for Bungoma County during a meeting at State House, Nairobi.

    18 July 2026 · The Standard

Friday 17 July

  1. Ruto urges leaders to prioritise service over political division

    President William Ruto told Kenyan leaders to focus on development and serving people rather than dividing the country along ethnic lines. He emphasized that elections should not undermine national unity, and that leaders will be judged by their development record.

    17 July 2026 · Capital News

  2. Ruto urges leaders to prioritise service over elections and unity

    President William Ruto told grassroots leaders from Bungoma County that elections should not undermine national unity, and urged leaders to focus on development and improving citizens' lives rather than dividing the country along ethnic lines.

    17 July 2026 · Capital News

  3. Ruto urges Kenyans to maintain unity beyond elections

    President William Ruto told Kenyans that elections should not undermine national unity and ethnic divisions should not be allowed between leaders, noting that there will be Kenya after elections and citizens must live together as brothers and sisters.

    17 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  4. Ruto urges unity beyond elections, warns against ethnic division

    President William Ruto has urged Kenyans not to allow elections to undermine national unity, stating that "elections are not a matter of life and death" and that the country belongs to all citizens regardless of electoral outcomes. He told leaders not to allow themselves to be divided along ethnic lines and to focus on serving the people.

    17 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  5. Ruto urges unity after DCP wins Ol Kalou by-election

    President Ruto called for national unity and resistance to using elections for division, speaking hours after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission declared DCP candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru winner of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election with 35,440 votes against UDA's Samuel Muchina Nyagah's 5,450. The contest, triggered by the death of former MP David Njuguna Kiaraho, was seen as a test of strength between Ruto's UDA and a DCP camp aligned with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

    17 July 2026 · The Standard

Sunday 12 July

  1. Sifuna's departure from ODM weakens his political trajectory

    An opinion piece argues that Edwin Sifuna's hesitant handling of his removal as ODM Secretary-General—neither fighting to retain control nor leaving on his own terms—has undermined his political standing and 2027 ambitions, contrasting his indecision unfavorably with Rigathi Gachagua's proactive approach.

    12 July 2026 · The Standard

Friday 3 July

  1. High Court strikes out Finance Act 2026 constitutionality petition

    The High Court has struck out a petition challenging the Finance Act 2026 and Appropriations Act 2026 over claims that more than half of MPs skipped the crucial vote, ruling the petition was prematurely filed as the petitioners had not first pursued statutory procedures for accessing National Assembly attendance records.

    3 July 2026 · The Standard

Thursday 2 July

  1. Kimilili MP Barasa endorses successor in 2027 race

    Didmus Barasa, the current Kimilili MP, has endorsed Patrick Wandili, a former county chief officer and educationist, to succeed him in the 2027 parliamentary contest as Barasa eyes the Bungoma County governorship.

    2 July 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 1 July

  1. Babu Owino tops Infotrak MP performance survey at 80%

    Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has been ranked Kenya's best-performing Member of Parliament in the latest Infotrak survey with an 80 per cent approval rating, followed by Joseph Kalasinga (Kabuchai) at 78 per cent and Ndindi Nyoro and John Bwire tied for third at 76 per cent each.

    1 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Babu Owino, Kalasinga lead MPs in Infotrak approval ratings

    An Infotrak survey of 87,286 respondents across all 47 counties ranked Embakasi East MP Babu Owino as Kenya's best-performing legislator with 80 per cent approval, followed by Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga at 78 per cent. The rankings assessed elected leaders on accessibility, responsiveness, accountability and fulfilment of campaign promises.

    1 July 2026 · The Standard

  3. Infotrak survey: Bungoma MPs rank among Kenya's best performers

    Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga and Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa emerged as among the country's best-performing MPs in the latest Infotrak Elected Leaders Performance Rating, with Kalasinga ranked second nationally at 78 per cent approval and Barasa fifth at 73 per cent. The survey assessed leaders on accessibility, responsiveness, accountability, visibility and fulfilment of campaign promises.

    1 July 2026 · The Standard

Tuesday 23 June

  1. Kimilili MP Barasa announces Bungoma governor bid, vows education focus

    Didmus Barasa, the Kimilili MP, has announced his candidacy for Bungoma governor and pledged to reintroduce the Nyayo milk programme, boost infrastructure, and improve teacher welfare through legislation on remuneration and transfer notice periods. He met with over 3,000 Junior Secondary School teachers and proposed replacing the ECDE feeding programme with free milk for learners from ECDE to Grade 9 twice weekly.

    23 June 2026 · The Standard

Monday 15 June

  1. Political rivalry escalates in Bungoma ahead of 2027 election

    Political tensions are rising in Bungoma County as Kenya Kwanza and opposition forces compete for support. Over the weekend, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa held a rally in Kanduyi Constituency while the United Opposition intensified its campaign in Western Kenya ahead of the 2027 General Election.

    15 June 2026 · The Standard

Sunday 7 June

  1. Assembly Roads Committee praises Muhoroni-Chemelil-Mamboleo road progress

    The National Assembly Roads Committee has expressed satisfaction with accelerated progress on the Muhoroni–Chemelil–Mamboleo road project in western Kenya, following settlement of pending contractor bills. The committee confirmed that work pace has increased in recent months and expects the project to be completed within the contractual period or earlier.

    7 June 2026 · Capital News

Tuesday 2 June

  1. Barasa pledges free milk programme for Bungoma learners if elected

    Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa has pledged to introduce a free milk programme for learners from ECDE to Grade 9 across Bungoma County if elected governor in 2027, aiming to improve nutrition and school attendance. The programme would also support local dairy farmers through cow distribution to women's groups and create employment in milk collection and distribution.

    2 June 2026 · The Standard

Saturday 30 May

  1. Sifuna accuses government of failures over school safety and economic hardship

    ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna attacked the Kenya Kwanza government at a burial in Bungoma, linking past demolitions and the Utumishi Girls School dormitory fire—which left 16 students dead—to leadership failures. Sifuna plans to introduce a Senate motion to investigate overcrowding and deteriorating infrastructure in public boarding secondary schools.

    30 May 2026 · Capital News

  2. Opposition backs Sifuna as government MP faces heckling

    At a burial in Bungoma County, political leaders clashed over the 2027 election, development record, and President Ruto's re-election prospects. Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama faced hostility when promoting Ruto's two-term agenda, while opposition figures including Bumula MP Jack Wamboka attacked the Kenya Kwanza administration for stalled infrastructure, corruption, and economic hardship.

    30 May 2026 · The Standard

Monday 18 May

  1. Kimilili MP Barasa campaigns for Bungoma governorship in 2027

    Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa unveiled a campaign platform for the 2027 gubernatorial race focused on healthcare reforms, free ambulance services, road construction, and support for vulnerable families. He criticized Bungoma's public health facilities and proposed introducing a digital monitoring system in county health facilities to improve accountability.

    18 May 2026 · The Standard

Didmus Barasa — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute