COFEK files petition to remove Education PS Julius Bitok from office
COFEK files petition to remove Education PS Julius Bitok from office
The Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK) has petitioned the Public Service Commission (PSC) seeking the removal of Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok over what it describes as serious failures in leadership and governance.
In a letter directed to the commission on Tuesday, June 2, COFEK outlined six grounds upon which it believes the PSC should initiate the constitutional process for the removal of the PS.
The organisation alleges gross misconduct, incompetence, abuse of office, violation of constitutional provisions relating to public finance management, and conduct unbecoming of a State officer.
“COFEK has today formally petitioned the Public Service Commission (PSC), 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,” COFEK stated in a statement.
“The grounds include gross misconduct, incompetence, abuse of office, violation of constitutional provisions on public finance management, and conduct,” the federation added.
According to the lobby, the petition is anchored on Article 155(4) of the Constitution, which provides the legal framework for the removal of PSs from office.
The federation argued that no public officer is above accountability and urged the PSC to act decisively in safeguarding 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 said.
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The development comes amid growing concerns over unrest in secondary schools that are under threat, with recent incidents leading to fire incidents and indefinite closure of learning institutions.
Notable incident is the Utumishi Girls’ Academy on Thursday, May 28, when 16 students perished in a dormitory fire in the school, with over 70 others escaping with injuries.
Following the incident, Bitok was questioned after issues arose, stating that the dormitory was overcrowded, raising concerns about whether the department had done inspections on the institution.
COFEK accused the State Department of being plagued by systemic challenges and alleged mismanagement under the current leadership, calling for urgent intervention to restore integrity and efficiency within the department.
It further maintained that Kenyan children deserve a competent and accountable leadership team capable of effectively managing the country’s education sector.
“The children of Kenya deserve better than a PS who presides over a department drowning in rot,” it said.
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