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Ruto removes PS Julius Bitok from education docket amid rise in school unrest

Tuesday 09th June, 2026 07:07 PM| By Emmanuel Rono

President William Ruto has effected changes in the senior ranks of the Executive, reassigning two principal secretaries in a move that takes effect immediately.

In a press release issued on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, by Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service Felix Koskei, the president reassigned Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Julius Bitok, to the State Department for Tourism under the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife.

John Lekakeny Ololtuaa, who has been serving as Principal Secretary for Tourism, was moved to the State Department for Basic Education in the Ministry of Education.

Hussein Mohamed X post on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. PHOTO/Screengrab by People Daily Digital/@HusseinMohamedg/X

The changes were communicated through Presidential Action No. X of 2026, with the Executive Office of the President stating that the reassignments had been sanctioned by the Head of State.

“His Excellency the President has this afternoon sanctioned re-assignments in the senior ranks of the Executive in the cadre of Principal Secretaries,” the statement read.

“Amb. Prof. Julius Bitok, PhD, CBS, reassigned from the State Department for Basic Education, Ministry of Education, to the State Department for Tourism, Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife. Mr. John Lekakeny Ololtuaa, CBS, Re-assigned from the State Department for Tourism, Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife to the State Department for Basic Education, Ministry of Education.”

Student Unrest

These changes come amid the ongoing student unrest across the country. Bitok has urged school administrators to rethink how learners are assessed, as the government attributed the ongoing wave of student unrest and school fires across the country to mounting examination pressure.

Education PS Julious Bitok during a meeting: PHOTO: @_BasicEdu/X — Former Education PS Julius Bitok during a meeting. PHOTO: @_BasicEdu/X

Speaking during a presser on Saturday, June 6, 2026, Bitok said some internal school assessments, particularly mock examinations, are contributing to tension among students.

“There are some of the mock examinations which are creating tension in our schools. We have asked the boards of management and the school management to reconsider, even postponing the mock exams temporarily to ensure that students do not riot,” Bitok said.