President William Ruto has made changes in the senior ranks of government, moving Principal Secretary Julius Bitok from the Education Ministry to the Tourism docket.
The changes, announced on Tuesday, June 9, involve a direct exchange between two Principal Secretaries. Bitok will now serve as Principal Secretary for Tourism, while John Lekakeny Ololtuaa moves to the State Department for Basic Education.
Head of Public Service Felix Koskei communicated the changes in an official notice, stating that the President had approved the reassignment of the two officials.
The Executive Office of the President said the transfers take effect immediately.
The reshuffle comes at a time when the education sector faces growing public attention following a rise in student unrest across the country. In recent weeks, dozens of secondary schools have suspended learning after incidents linked to unrest and fires.
Bitok leaves the Basic Education docket after serving during a period marked by major policy changes and increasing concerns over school safety. He now takes over the Tourism department, a key sector that continues to play a significant role in Kenya's economy and foreign exchange earnings.
Meanwhile, Ololtuaa assumes leadership of the Basic Education department and will oversee efforts to address ongoing challenges affecting schools nationwide.
The latest changes signal another adjustment in President Ruto's administration as the government seeks to strengthen service delivery across different ministries.
