The Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK) has moved to the Public Service Commission (PSC) seeking the removal of Basic Education Principal Secretary (PS) Prof. Julius Bitok, citing what it describes as serious failures in leadership and management within the education sector.
In a petition submitted on Tuesday, June 2, the consumer rights organisation accused Bitok of misconduct, incompetence, abuse of office and alleged violations of constitutional principles governing public service and public finance management.
COFEK said its application is grounded in Article 155(4) of the Constitution, which outlines the process for removing Principal Secretaries from office.
The federation argued that senior public officials must be held accountable for their actions and performance, adding that the PSC has a constitutional responsibility to investigate the concerns raised and take appropriate action where necessary.
The petition comes at a time when the education sector is under increased scrutiny following a wave of unrest in schools and several dormitory fire incidents reported across the country.
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Public concern intensified after the tragic fire at Utumishi Girls Academy in Gilgil, which claimed the lives of 16 students and left dozens injured.
Questions have been raised over compliance with safety regulations in boarding schools, with stakeholders calling for stricter enforcement of safety standards and improved oversight.
COFEK maintains that the education sector is facing deep-rooted challenges that require urgent intervention, arguing that leadership accountability is key to restoring public confidence.
The PSC is expected to examine the petition and determine whether the allegations presented meet the constitutional threshold for further action.
By the time of publication, neither Bitok nor the Ministry of Education had publicly responded to the claims.
By Philip Koech
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