A lobby group has moved to have Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok removed from office, filing a formal petition over what it terms failures in leadership and governance in the education sector, amid heightened concern over school fires.

The Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK) has petitioned the Public Service Commission (PSC) seeking disciplinary action targeting the removal of PS Bitok.

In a letter submitted to the PSC on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, COFEK listed six grounds it says justify the initiation of constitutional proceedings to remove the PS from office.

The lobby group accuses Bitok of gross misconduct, incompetence, abuse of office, violation of constitutional provisions relating to public finance management, and conduct unbecoming of a State officer.

“COFEK has today formally petitioned the Public Service Commission (PSC), raising six grounds on which it urges the PSC to initiate the constitutional process for the removal from office of the Principal Secretary, State Department for Basic Education, Amb (Prof) Julius Bitok,” the petition read in part.

“The grounds include gross misconduct, incompetence, abuse of office, violation of constitutional provisions on public finance management, and conduct.”

The petition is anchored on Article 155(4) of the Constitution, which COFEK says provides the legal basis for the removal of Principal Secretaries from office.

The federation insists that accountability applies to all public officers, arguing that the PSC has a duty to act in the public interest.

“A Principal Secretary is not untouchable. Article 155(4) of the Constitution is clear, and the Public Service Commission has both the mandate and the obligation to act,” COFEK said.

The move comes at a time of growing alarm over insecurity and unrest in secondary schools, with several institutions experiencing fire incidents and sudden closures.

Utumishi Academy fire tragedy

One of the most tragic cases was reported at Utumishi Girls’ Academy, where a dormitory fire on Thursday, May 28, 2026, left 16 students dead and more than 70 others injured after escaping the blaze.

Following the incident, Bitok faced scrutiny over safety standards in schools, with questions raised about whether proper inspections had been conducted after he pointed out that the dormitory had been overcrowded.

COFEK has also accused the State Department for Basic Education of systemic failures and mismanagement, saying urgent reforms are needed to restore confidence in the education sector.

It maintained that Kenyan learners deserve stronger leadership and accountability in the management of schools.

“The children of Kenya deserve better than a PS who presides over a department drowning in rot,” it said.