Details Emerge on Why PS Bitok Was Transferred Hours After Chairing School Unrest Meeting

Julius Bitok walked into a high-level meeting chaired by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Wednesday morning to discuss the wave of unrest affecting more than 200 schools across Kenya. 

By the time the day ended, he had been transferred out of the Basic Education docket entirely. President William Ruto moved Bitok to the State Department for Tourism and replaced him with John Lekakeny Ololtuaa. 

The announcement came from Head of Public Service Felix Koskei hours after the school safety meeting had concluded.

Sources within Jogoo House said tensions had been building between Bitok and Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba for some time. 

The PS was said to have prioritised his political activities in Uasin Gishu over the mounting challenges facing learning institutions.

Bitok had drawn sharp criticism after suggesting that school principals should negotiate with students unwilling to sit examinations. The remarks angered education stakeholders and drew condemnation from political leaders across the country.

Members of Parliament had also repeatedly complained that Bitok failed to attend crucial committee meetings and demonstrated little grasp of the challenges schools were facing on the ground.

Ololtuaa now takes over a docket in crisis. School unrest is ongoing, a Finance Bill debate is straining public confidence, and the education budget remains a political flashpoint ahead of the 2027 general election.