Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa endorsed the candidacy of opposition leader Raila Odinga just months after questioning his academic qualification in April 2024.
In a statement on X on Saturday, August 24, 2024, Barasa swallowed his earlier statement, choosing to state that he had full confidence in Odinga’s candidacy.
“As a staunch advocate for democratic values, I am honoured to endorse Raila Odinga for the African Union Commission (AUC) top seat and respectfully call upon Friends of KENYA to offer their support. Mzee has consistently demonstrated a profound commitment to our nation’s progress and should be duly elected. I express my unwavering confidence and full backing for his candidacy,” Barasa said.
In April during a public function in the Kapseret constituency, Barasa expressed his misgivings about the academic qualifications of Raila, stating that they could be no more than those of MP Oscar Sudi.
“I want to challenge you Raila Odinga that even as the government of Kenya supports and endorses your candidature for AUC chairmanship, your level of education should be a matter of public interest,” Barasa said in April.
In the heat of the 2022 presidential election campaigns, then-candidate William Ruto poked holes into Odinga’s papers, challenging him to produce classmates who schooled with him.
“I want to ask the people of Azimio, what did your candidate study, where did he school and who taught him? You can’t answer all that yet you want to tell us he has a degree? From where,” Ruto said on June 16, 2022.
Raila unveils academic credentials
However, on Friday, August 23, 2024, Raila unveiled his academic credentials as a requirement in the process of vying for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission (AUC).
In his submission, Raila revealed that he had a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Production Technology from Magdeburg Technical School and Otto-Von-Guericke University in Germany.
The opposition leader also revealed he had a certificate in senior management from the Kenya Institute of Management, a Certificate in standardization and Quality control from the University of Denver, Colorado, a certificate in the establishment of natural physical standards and a certificate in standard specification writing.
From 2018-2023, Raila also served as the African Union High Commissioner for Infrastructure.
He banks on his experience in public service as well as his political influence in both local and international matters to advocate for changes while at the helm of the African Union Council.
