COFEK Seeks Removal of Education PS Julius Bitok Over Alleged Leadership Failures

The Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK) has formally petitioned the Public Service Commission (PSC) to initiate the removal of Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, accusing him of serious leadership and governance failures within the education sector.

In a petition submitted on Tuesday, June 2, the consumer rights lobby outlined six grounds it believes warrant the PS's removal, including alleged gross misconduct, incompetence, abuse of office, violation of constitutional provisions on public finance management, and conduct unbecoming of a state officer.

According to COFEK, the petition is anchored on Article 155(4) of the Constitution, which provides the legal framework for the removal of Principal Secretaries from office.

"COFEK has today formally petitioned the Public Service Commission, raising six grounds on which it urges PSC to initiate the constitutional process for the removal from office of the Principal Secretary, State Department for Basic Education, Amb. Prof. Julius Bitok," the organisation said in a statement.

The federation argued that public officials must remain accountable for their actions and urged the commission to act decisively in the public interest.

“A Principal Secretary is not untouchable. Article 155(4) of the Constitution is clear, and the Public Service Commission has both the mandate and the obligation to act,” COFEK stated.

The petition comes amid growing scrutiny of the education sector following a series of school unrest incidents and dormitory fires across the country. The most devastating was the May 28 tragedy at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru County, where 16 students lost their lives and more than 70 others were injured in a dormitory fire.

Questions have since emerged over compliance with school safety standards after reports indicated that the affected dormitory may have been overcrowded. The incident has renewed debate over the effectiveness of inspections and enforcement measures within boarding schools.

COFEK alleged that the State Department for Basic Education is grappling with systemic challenges and mismanagement under the current leadership, arguing that urgent reforms are needed to restore confidence in the sector.

“The children of Kenya deserve better than a PS who presides over a department drowning in rot,” the federation said.

The PSC is expected to review the petition and determine whether the allegations meet the threshold for initiating proceedings under the Constitution. No response had been issued by Bitok or the Ministry of Education at the time of publication.