President William Ruto has moved Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok to the State Department for Tourism in the latest round of administrative changes affecting key ministries.
In a statement signed by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, John Lekakeny Ololtuaa has been appointed to take over the Basic Education docket, marking a direct swap between the two senior officials.
Koskei indicated that the changes take effect immediately as the government continues to realign leadership across different sectors.
Bitok had been serving in the education docket since March 2025 after a reshuffle that saw him exchange roles with Belio Kipsang, who was moved to the Immigration Department at the time.
His transfer comes at a sensitive moment for the education sector, with authorities under increasing pressure to stabilise learning institutions following recent unrest that led to the closure of several schools across the country.
The incoming PS steps into office as the government works to restore normal operations in affected schools and address concerns raised by parents, teachers and education stakeholders.
In one of his final public updates while overseeing the sector, Bitok dismissed speculation about an early mid-term break, insisting that learning was largely continuing without disruption.
“We have no plans for an unscheduled closure of schools. Learning is continuing normally in 99 percent of our schools, while only around 0.8 percent have experienced challenges. Our focus is on addressing issues in the affected institutions while ensuring that all learners continue with their education without disruption,” Bitok stated on June 4, 2026.
The reassignment marks another shift in the education leadership landscape at a time when attention remains focused on school stability, curriculum implementation and safety within learning institutions.
With Ololtuaa now taking charge, expectations are high that the ministry will intensify efforts to address ongoing challenges while ensuring continuity in learning and restoring confidence among stakeholders in the education system.
