Didmus Wekesa Barasa Mutua

Didmus Wekesa Barasa is a Kenyan politician and ex-military officer (Kenya Defense Forces technical wing). He is the current member of parliament representing Kimilili constituency since 2017.

He became affiliated to the United Democratic Alliance party shortly after his exit from the Jubilee Party in 2021. Barasa is a former member of Amani Peace Coalition (2013), United Democratic Forum Party (2016) and the Jubilee Party.

Shooting and Murder Charges

Didmus Barasa was arrested and charged with the shooting and killing of 21 year old Brian Olunga on August 9, 2022 in Bungoma. Brian Olunga was an aide to Brian Khaemba, an aspirant for Kimilili Constituency parliamentary seat that Barasa was also gunning for in the 2022 General Elections. The prosecution presented ballistic reports from the DCI National Forensic Laboratory that linked Barasa's firearm to the fatal shot that ended Olunga's life.

This followed a report issued by the ballistic experts after the investigating team forwarded Barasa's Glock Pistol. "A cartridge and bullet fragments were taken to the ballistic lab for forensic analysis. The report noted that the recovered cartridge was fired by the Glock pistol issued to Hon Barasa."

After a 10-month trial, Didmus Barasa was found innocent and freed by the High Court in Bungoma. In the judgement delivery on the case, Lady Justice Rose Ougo noted that the prosecution submitted insufficient evidence.