Bitok Shifted to Tourism as Ololtuaa Takes Over Basic Education

President William Ruto has reassigned two Principal Secretaries, moving Julius Bitok to the Tourism and Wildlife docket and transferring John Lekakeny Ololtuaa to the State Department for Basic Education with immediate effect.

The changes were announced by Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei. Under the reshuffle, Ambassador Prof. Julius Bitok leaves his position as Principal Secretary for Basic Education to take charge of the State Department for Tourism and Wildlife. Ololtuaa, who previously headed the tourism docket, will now oversee Basic Education.

The transfers mark the second reshuffle involving Principal Secretaries in less than a month. In late May, Kello Harsama was reassigned to the Petroleum docket.

The changes come as the education sector faces significant challenges following a wave of student unrest in secondary schools across the country. More than 80 schools have closed indefinitely after protests and arson incidents disrupted learning.

Before his reassignment, Bitok had been involved in the government's response to the crisis. He recently urged school administrators to reduce pressure on students, warning that strict examination schedules were contributing to anxiety and unrest. He called for greater flexibility in the timing of mock examinations and stressed the need to listen to students' concerns.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said Bitok was among the senior officials who had briefed him on the situation as the government considered both immediate and long-term measures to restore order and improve safety in schools.