Kimilili Member of Parliament Didmus Barasa has secured a place on the continental stage after being named Kenya’s nominee in the legislative category of the inaugural Unstoppable Africa Awards.
The two-term lawmaker is the only Kenyan MP listed in the category, according to the organisers, placing him among political leaders, business executives, creatives, diplomats and other personalities from across Africa who will be recognised at the awards in Nairobi.
The Unstoppable Africa Awards are set to debut in Kenya on October 31, 2026, with the ceremony bringing together nominees from different sectors as the new Pan-African platform seeks to recognise leadership, creativity, business and community impact.
For Barasa, the nomination comes at a time when his political career has been accompanied by renewed attention to his academic background, constituency development record and growing political profile in Bungoma.
Why Didmus Barasa was nominated
One of the notable milestones in Barasa’s year was his graduation with a PhD in Public Administration from Murang’a University of Technology in August 2026.
His doctoral research examined county governments’ branding strategies and their influence on service delivery satisfaction among small and medium-sized enterprises, using Bungoma County as a case study.
Barasa had earlier announced that he had completed his doctoral studies while responding to questions about his academic qualifications.
“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,” he said.
His doctorate was subsequently conferred at Murang’a University of Technology.
The Kimilili MP has also pointed to his constituency development record as part of his political profile.
In July, Barasa claimed that his administration had rebuilt about 92 per cent of primary schools in Kimilili Constituency, with the goal of eliminating older structures.
“In the next three months I would enter the Guinness Book of Records; that Kimilili constituency is the only constituency in the whole world that where a member of parliament elected for two terms has built all primary schools. None of them have old buildings that were built before I became a member of parliament,” Barasa said.
He added:
“I am at 92 per cent with a budget of one year to go and in that budget I only require half of it.”
The claims were made during an interview in which the lawmaker discussed his constituency development record, particularly investment in education.
His record has also featured in the 2026 Infotrak Elected Leaders Performance Rating.
Barasa recorded a 73 per cent approval rating, placing fifth nationally in the survey alongside several other MPs who received the same score. He also made one of the biggest jumps in the rankings, moving from position 160 previously to fifth nationally.
A growing profile beyond Kimilili
The nomination comes as Barasa continues to expand his political profile beyond his Kimilili constituency.
In March 2026, Sabaot elders in Mt Elgon recognised him as an elder during a ceremony in Kapsokwony.
Barasa, a Bukusu, was given traditional attire and a walking stick during the ceremony, which came as he intensified his political activities in Bungoma.
The lawmaker is also seeking the Bungoma gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Election on a United Democratic Alliance ticket.
Among the proposals he has highlighted in his political campaign are free maternity care, free inter-hospital ambulance services, telemedicine for remote areas, road construction machinery for every sub-county and measures aimed at protecting maize farmers from exploitation by middlemen.
Kenya's representation at the awards
Barasa will be part of a wider Kenyan contingent at the Unstoppable Africa Awards.
Other Kenyan nominees include Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi, Cabinet Secretaries Beatrice Askul Moe and Geoffrey Ruku, comedians Crazy Kennar and Jaymo De Cin, content creator Andrew Kibe, musician Bien, businessman Mark Ogendi, Dr Anita Nyanjong, Eric Omondi, Dr Manu Chandaria, Lupita Nyong’o and Eliud Kipchoge.
The awards will be held on October 31 in Nairobi, with nominees drawn from categories covering governance, business, media, arts, sports, diplomacy and social impact.
For Barasa, the nomination adds another milestone to a year that has seen him graduate with a doctorate, feature prominently in national leadership performance rankings and intensify his political activities in Bungoma.
He will now take his place among the African figures nominated for the inaugural Unstoppable Africa Awards as Kenya's representative in the legislative category.
