Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok has been reassigned to the State Department for Tourism in the latest changes within the government. In a statement issued by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, Bitok will switch roles with John Lekakeny Ololtuaa, who previously served as the Principal Secretary for Tourism. The changes take immediate effect.
Bitok had been heading the Basic Education docket since March 2025, when he exchanged positions with Belio Kipsang, who moved to the Immigration department. Ololtuaa now assumes leadership of the education sector at a time when schools across the country are facing increased pressure to stabilize following recent unrest that led to the closure of several institutions.
Before his reassignment, Bitok had dismissed calls for an early mid-term break, maintaining that most schools were operating normally despite isolated disruptions. He noted that learning had continued uninterrupted in the vast majority of schools, with only a small percentage experiencing challenges. According to him, the government’s priority remained addressing issues in affected institutions while ensuring students continue with their studies.
The reshuffle comes as the education sector seeks to restore calm and maintain continuity in learning nationwide.
