Education crisis tightens noose on Bitok as Ruto orders docket swap
The reassignment is being viewed by some education stakeholders as a soft landing for the outgoing PS, with critics arguing that he failed to provide decisive leadership during one of the most challenging periods for the education sector. Teachers and technocrats in the education sector were taken aback by Bitok’s recent directive to teachers ordering them to “negotiate” with students if they are not willing to sit for mid-term exams, which are mandatory for education assessment.
Haunted by growing claims of mismanagement and accusations that he had become increasingly detached from the realities facing the education sector, immediate former Basic Education Principal Secretary Amb. Prof. Julius Bitok has been moved to the State Department for Tourism in a major government reshuffle announced by President William Ruto.
Bitok’s transfer comes at a time when the country is grappling with a wave of deadly student unrest that has seen secondary school students engage in strikes, arson attacks and destruction of school infrastructure, leading to loss of lives and disruption of learning in several institutions.
The reassignment is being viewed by some education stakeholders as a soft landing for the outgoing PS, with critics arguing that he failed to provide decisive leadership during one of the most challenging periods for the education sector.
Teachers and technocrats in the education sector were taken aback by Bitok’s recent directive to teachers ordering them to “negotiate” with students if they are not willing to sit for mid term exams, which are mandatory for education assessment.
In a notification of presidential action issued today, Tuesday, June 8, 2026 by Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service Felix Koskei, President Ruto reassigned Bitok to the Tourism docket while Tourism Principal Secretary John Lekakeny Ololtuaa was moved to the State Department for Basic Education.
Ololtuaa is now facing a litmus test to tame the tide of unrest which his predecessor Bitok failed to that has exposed deep-rooted challenges within the country’s school system and restore confidence in the management of the education sector.
According to the notice dated June 9, 2026, the two Principal Secretaries have effectively swapped positions, with the changes taking immediate effect.
“The reassignment has been sanctioned by His Excellency the President,” the communication from the Executive Office of the President stated.
Ololtuaa, an educationist by training, now assumes leadership of the Basic Education docket at a time when the ministry is under pressure to address rising cases of student unrest that have disrupted learning and forced the temporary closure of several schools.
The reshuffle came as Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki convened a high-level meeting with Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba and senior ministry officials at Harambee House Annex in Nairobi to assess the unfolding crisis in schools.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Kindiki condemned acts of violence, arson and destruction of property in learning institutions, saying criminal behaviour could not be justified regardless of the grievances raised by students.
“We will not tolerate, for whatever reason, irrespective of grievances, any criminality that leads to the loss of lives, arson, destruction of property or any form of indiscipline,” he said.
The Deputy President particularly referenced the tragic fire at Utumishi Girls High School in Gilgil, Nakuru County, where 16 students lost their lives after a dormitory was torched.
“Such loss of precious, innocent lives cannot be tolerated whatsoever,” Kindiki said.
While acknowledging the gravity of the incidents, the Deputy President noted that the affected schools represented only a small fraction of learning institutions across the country.
“We appreciate that 99 per cent of the senior schools are going on well with learning. The overwhelming majority of schools are unaffected. Out of the 9,500 schools, 3,200 are boarding schools and those affected are a tiny minority of the boarding schools,” he said.
Kindiki revealed that the Ministry of Education had begun consultations with stakeholders to identify lasting solutions to recurring student unrest, including policy reforms, enhanced safety measures and administrative interventions.
“The Ministry of Education will make their assessment on what needs to be done and engage stakeholders on what policies would help improve safety of learners and the needed administrative interventions to prevent school unrests,” he said.
He also defended the government’s education reforms, citing progress in the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), increased enrolment in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and reforms in university funding.
“We have made great progress in the implementation of education reforms. There were many complaints about the education sector ahead of the 2022 elections but the President took decisive actions that have helped stabilize it,” he stated.
Also present at the meeting were Principal Secretaries Beatrice Inyangala (Higher Education), Esther Mworia (Technical and Vocational Education and Training), Julius Bitok and other senior ministry officials.
