Julius Bitok EDUCATION Despite backlash, Ruto’s ‘incompetent’ PS remains in office Julius Bitok has been reassigned again in a major government shake-up, sparking questions over his handling of the Education Ministry. By DAVIS AYEGA Published 41 minutes ago Share Tweet NAIROBI, Kenya Jun 10 – Questions are intensifying over whether Julius Bitok should have been fired instead of moved after President William Ruto reassigned him from the Education Ministry in a surprise reshuffle. The move has triggered debate, with critics pointing to his short and turbulent tenure at the Ministry of Education. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Bitok’s reassignment marks his second transfer in just over 15 months. He was moved into the Basic Education docket in March 2025 from the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services, where he previously served as Principal Secretary. His latest move sends him to the State Department for Tourism. During his tenure, the Education Ministry was hit by widespread student unrest, leading to the closure of more than 200 schools nationwide. At the height of the crisis, Bitok maintained that the government would not bow to student pressure by declaring an early mid-term break. “We will not disrupt the school calendar because of a few rogue elements in our schools. Learning must continue uninterrupted,” he said. National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah had previously launched a stinging attack on Bitok, questioning his competence and describing him as “clueless” in handling education challenges. President Ruto has previously acknowledged that some Principal Secretaries in his administration are incompetent and lack adequate knowledge of their roles. The criticism has now resurfaced following his removal from the docket. Chief of Staff Felix Koskei confirmed the changes, stating that the reassignment of senior officials takes immediate effect as part of government restructuring. “Amb. Prof. Julius Bitok has been reassigned from the State Department for Basic Education, Ministry of Education, to the State Department for Tourism, Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, while Mr. John Lekakeny Ololtuaa has been reassigned from the State Department for Tourism to the State Department for Basic Education,” the statement read. In this article: education , featured , Julius Bitok reshuffle , Kenya , school unrest Comments Comments Popular NATIONAL NEWS Ruto sticks to chartered planes as presidential jet remains grounded in Netherlands NATIONAL NEWS Nairobi Chief Officer arrested with millions stashed in suitcases at home business Electric motorcycle maker YADEA expands East African footprint with Kenya entry Kenya Loreto Girls Limuru Closed Indefinitely Following Student Unrest DIPLOMACY Kenya, South Africa sign 6 deals including pact on trade facilitation NATIONAL NEWS Patrick Analo, Spouse Freed On Sh600,000 Cash Bail In Multi-Million Extortion Case Sustainability Watch How Local Communities Are Leading the Revival of Mau forest complex Sustainability Watch Kenya Marks World Environment Day in Nyandarua as Focus Shifts to Protecting Critical Aberdare Water Tower DIPLOMACY Ruto Receives Credentials from Four New Envoys at State House Advertisement Share Tweet More on Capital News EDUCATION CS Ogamba to address school unrest as 200 schools close Education CS Julius Ogamba is expected to outline government measures to tackle rising unrest in schools. DAVIS AYEGA 6 minutes ago Kenya China Injects Sh390mn Into Maternal Health Programme in Northeastern Kenya The programme is expected to directly benefit more than 652,000 people while indirectly reaching another 630,000 residents through expanded maternal, newborn and emergency healthcare… CORRESPONDENT 40 minutes ago Kenya Fuel Prices, Taxes on Essential Commodities Dominate Public Concerns Ahead of Budget Reading Salaried workers and informal sector players who spoke to Capital FM said the rising cost of transport and production continues to squeeze