Sunday, 27 September 2026

Kenya’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026

Sunday, 27 September 2026

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Kenyan press · Person

Julius Bitok

Also known as: Basic Education PS Julius Bitok · Prof. Julius Bitok · former Immigration Principal Secretary Julius Bitok · Prof. Bitok · Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok · Amb. (Prof) Julius Bitok · Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok · PS Julius Bitok · Amb. Prof. Julius Bitok · Professor Julius Bitok · Prof Bitok · Tourism Principal Secretary Julius Bitok · Prof. Juliuis Bitok · Ambassador Prof. Julius Bitok · Tourism PS Julius Bitok

Principal Secretary for Tourism overseeing sector growth, Ronald Ngala Utalii College opening, and aviation policy review.

2026-04-292026-09-27

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

May 2026
5 MayCitizen Digital
… Julius Bitok has dismissed a Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) report indicating that more than 150,000 learners under the Competency Based Education system dropped out before completion. …
Doubt over CBE transition as learners sent home despite govt mop-up claims
4 MayCitizen Digital
… Meanwhile, Basic Education PS Julius Bitok defended CBE, saying the reforms would transform Kenya’s education system. …
Alarm as 151,000 learners from first CBE cohort fail to complete junior school, KNEC data shows
April 2026
29 AprCitizen Digital
… The circular, dated April 23 and signed by Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, outlines how the funds are to be used, with stakeholders raising concerns that the allocation is insufficient to support learning activities. …
KNUT raises alarm after gov't allocates Ksh.188 capitation per learner for second term

Sport

Over 30 athletics legends run to promote Kenya's sports tourism

The News

More than 30 athletics legends, led by Kipchoge Keino, participated in a symbolic run in Eldoret during Kenya Tourism Week to promote Kenya as a sports tourism destination. The event, jointly organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Uasin Gishu County Government, and University of Eldoret, also celebrated UN Tourism Day and aimed to connect the region's sporting identity with tourism and visitor experiences.

5 hours ago · Capital News →

Today

Over 30 athletics legends run to promote Kenya's sports tourism
More than 30 athletics legends, led by Kipchoge Keino, participated in a symbolic run in Eldoret during Kenya Tourism Week to promote Kenya as a sports tourism destination. The event, jointly organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Uasin Gishu County Government, and University of Eldoret, also celebrated UN Tourism Day and aimed to connect the region's sporting identity with tourism and visitor experiences.
5 hours ago · Capital News →

Monday 21 September

Eldoret hosts UN Tourism Week focusing on AI and digital technology
Eldoret will host Kenya's 2026 UN Tourism Week from September 21 to 27, bringing together government officials, investors, technology companies and others to explore the use of artificial intelligence and digital technology to diversify tourism beyond traditional coastal and wildlife destinations.
21 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Eldoret hosts 2026 UN Tourism Week with digital and AI focus
Eldoret will host the 2026 UN Tourism Week from September 21–27 at the University of Eldoret, themed on digital agenda and artificial intelligence to redesign tourism. The week-long event will showcase digital technologies and AI solutions aimed at enhancing Kenya's tourism sector and diversifying destinations beyond coastal and wildlife circuits.
21 September 2026 · Capital News →
Eldoret hosts UN Tourism Week focused on AI and digital technology
Eldoret will host the UN Tourism Week from September 21 to 27 at the University of Eldoret, with artificial intelligence and digital technology as the centrepiece. The event aims to showcase digital solutions and technologies to help destinations and tourism businesses reach new markets, and will provide training to MSMEs, tour operators, hoteliers, and tourism enterprises on using AI and digital tools for destination marketing and business development.
21 September 2026 · The Standard →

Sunday 23 August

Africa's Next Super Model scouting launches August 29 in Nairobi
Africa's Next Super Model 2026 will begin scouting on August 29 in Nairobi following endorsement from Kenya's Ministry of Tourism. The campaign runs through September with casting sessions across Kenya, seeking female applicants aged 18 to 26 from over a dozen African nations; the winner receives $5,000 and international modeling opportunities.
23 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Thursday 20 August

Ministry proposes separating tourism levy collection from funds management
The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has proposed that the Tourism Fund retain responsibility for collecting levies from hotels and restaurants while the Cabinet Secretary oversees management of the funds, in order to improve efficiency and transparency. The 2% revenue levy currently supports government-owned tourism institutions including the Kenya Tourism Board and Kenya Utalii College.
20 August 2026 · Capital News →
Ministry proposes separating tourism levy collection from fund management
The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has recommended that the Tourism Fund continue collecting levies while the Cabinet Secretary assumes oversight of fund management and disbursement, to enhance efficiency, transparency and accountability. The two per cent levy is currently collected from regulated hotels and restaurants and disbursed to government-owned tourism institutions.
20 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Friday 7 August

Dignitaries attend wedding of Kilgoris MP Sunkuli's son
A high-profile wedding ceremony in Narok County brought together senior government officials, political leaders, and dignitaries including Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya and National Assembly Majority Whip Silvanus Osoro to celebrate the marriage of Saitoti Sunkuli and Viola Neyian.
7 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Tuesday 4 August

Government opens Ronald Ngala Utalii College in Kilifi in September
Tourism Principal Secretary Julius Bitok announced that the Ronald Ngala Utalii College in Kilifi will begin operations in September this year. The facility, whose construction has been delayed over a decade and a half, is expected to address shortages in hospitality workforce training at the Coast.
4 August 2026 · The Standard →

Sunday 2 August

Mandago warns Gachagua against divisive politics in Rift Valley
Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago has cautioned the opposition against spreading tribal and divisive politics ahead of planned Nakuru campaigns, specifically warning Rigathi Gachagua's DCP party against inciting people during visits to the Rift Valley region ahead of the 2027 General Election.
2 August 2026 · The Standard →
Ruto defends Vision 2060, urges national unity on development
President Ruto has defended the proposed Vision 2060 National development plans and called for nationwide participation in shaping Kenya's future. Speaking at a church service, he urged leaders and citizens to work together to ensure Kenya becomes a wealthy and prosperous nation, saying development cannot happen in secrecy or by a few.
2 August 2026 · The Standard →

Thursday 23 July

Ronald Ngala Utalii College to admit 1,000 students September
The government has confirmed that Ronald Ngala Utalii College in Kilifi will officially admit its first cohort of 1,000 students on September 1, 2026, after more than a decade. The college, 95 per cent complete, will offer diploma and short-term courses in catering, hotel management, housekeeping, seafaring, and hospitality management.
23 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Ronald Ngala Utalii College to open September 1 with 1,000 students
Kenya's Tourism Principal Secretary Julius Bitok announced that Ronald Ngala Utalii College in Kilifi will open on September 1, 2026, welcoming its first cohort of 1,000 students after more than three decades of planning and delays.
23 July 2026 · Capital News →
Ronald Ngala Utalii College opens September 1 with 1,000 students
Ronald Ngala Utalii College in Kilifi County will admit its first cohort of 1,000 students on September 1, 2026. The facility will offer diploma programmes and professional courses in catering, hotel management, housekeeping, seafaring and other hospitality-related fields, and has been assessed and approved by the State Department for Tourism.
23 July 2026 · The Standard →

Tuesday 21 July

Tourism PS warns leaders against discouraging foreign visitors
Tourism Principal Secretary Julius Bitok has warned that campaigns discouraging travel to Kenya risk undermining the sector's growth and eroding investor confidence, noting that tourism generated more than Sh500 billion last year and supports nearly two million jobs.
21 July 2026 · The Standard →

Monday 20 July

Tourism PS criticizes Gachagua's call to shun Kenya
Tourism Principal Secretary Julius Bitok has condemned Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua's remarks urging foreign tourists and investors to avoid Kenya, calling them "irresponsible" and warning they threaten investor confidence and the livelihoods of nearly two million people supported by the tourism sector. Bitok noted that Kenya welcomed 2.7 million international visitors last year, tourism contributes nearly 10 percent of GDP, and the country aims to reach five million arrivals by 2028.
20 July 2026 · Capital News →

Thursday 9 July

KNEC settles overdue examiner pay after months of delays
The Kenya National Examinations Council has paid outstanding marking allowances owed to examiners who handled the 2025 KJSEA and KCSE exams, after the National Treasury released Sh1.5 billion on July 7. The payment follows months of delays that sparked walkouts and boycott threats from more than 800 KCSE examiners who stopped marking in December.
9 July 2026 · The Standard →

Wednesday 8 July

Kilifi leaders urge government to pay squatters for airport expansion
County leaders including Senator Stewart Madzayo and MP Amina Mnyazi are calling for the government to compensate squatters and landowners displaced by Malindi International Airport expansion plans. Affected residents are demanding Sh2.5 billion in compensation after eviction, with the matter pending before courts and the Land Acquisition Tribunal.
8 July 2026 · The Standard →

Friday 26 June

Kenya to review airline restrictions to boost tourism
Tourism Principal Secretary Julius Bitok announced plans to review restrictions on the number of airlines and flights allowed into Kenya, assessing requests against airport capacity, security, and national interests. The move is part of efforts to double tourist arrivals by 2028 and eliminate bottlenecks hindering tourism growth.
26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Brookside strengthens partnership with hospitality sector for growth
Milk processor Brookside is expanding its market presence in the hospitality industry through strengthened partnerships with the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers, leveraging new product innovations and its national distribution footprint to grow its share of the hotel, restaurant and catering market.
26 June 2026 · The Standard →
Aviation policies limit Kenya's 2025 tourism arrivals
Kenya recorded 2.7 million tourists in 2025 against a 5 million target, with hoteliers citing restrictive aviation policies that limit airline numbers and weekly flights. The Tourism PS said the government will review restrictions on airlines and flights to boost arrivals, weighing air access requests against airport capacities and security considerations.
26 June 2026 · The Standard →

Tuesday 23 June

PS Bitok announces plans to reverse slow tourism growth in Kenya
Tourism Principal Secretary Julius Bitok has unveiled measures to address the sector's slow growth over the past two decades, saying Kenya could boost arrivals to 10 million in coming years by leveraging local, regional, and global competitiveness. The PS noted that tourism generates more than Sh500 billion annually and that the government is supporting the industry through market diversification and enhanced digital competitiveness, while simplifying the ETA process and removing visa requirements for African tourists.
23 June 2026 · The Standard →

Sunday 14 June

Bitok announces 2027 Uasin Gishu governor bid after 2022 primary loss
Tourism Principal Secretary Julius Bitok, who lost to incumbent Governor Jonathan Bii in the 2022 UDA party primaries, announced his bid for Uasin Gishu governorship in the 2027 General Election and has been campaigning across the county.
14 June 2026 · The Standard →
Tourism PS Julius Bitok faces mounting criticism over leadership
Tourism Principal Secretary Julius Bitok is facing criticism over his leadership and political activities.
14 June 2026 · The Standard →

Thursday 11 June

Principal Secretary Bitok hands over Basic Education role
Prof. Julius Bitok has officially handed over leadership of the State Department for Basic Education to Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa following a presidential reshuffle that reassigned Bitok to Tourism. Bitok's tenure, which began in October 2023, was marked by implementation of education reforms and efforts to stabilize the Competency-Based Curriculum transition.
11 June 2026 · The Standard →
Government distributes 10,382 digital devices to junior schools nationwide
The government has begun distributing 10,382 smart interactive devices and laptops to junior schools across the country as part of efforts to digitise learning under the Competency-Based Curriculum and establish smart classrooms.
11 June 2026 · The Standard →

Wednesday 10 June

CS Ogamba to brief nation on school unrest affecting 200 schools
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba is scheduled to hold a press briefing on issues affecting the education sector as at least 200 schools have been affected by student unrest, prompting temporary closures and sparking concerns among parents and teachers. The address comes amid ongoing student strikes, property destruction and learning disruptions across several counties.
10 June 2026 · Capital News →
Ruto reassigns embattled Education PS Bitok to Tourism Ministry
President William Ruto moved Principal Secretary Julius Bitok from the Education Ministry to the State Department for Tourism following criticism over his handling of student unrest that led to closures of over 200 schools. The reassignment has sparked debate about whether Bitok should have been dismissed rather than transferred, with critics citing his short and turbulent tenure and an earlier warning from the Majority Leader about his competence.
10 June 2026 · Capital News →
MPs call for gradual abolition of Kenya's boarding schools
Lawmakers and education stakeholders are calling for the abolition of boarding schools following unprecedented student unrest across prestigious schools, citing negligence in enforcing safety regulations, overcrowding, inadequate facilities, and mounting discipline challenges. MPs argue that parents have abdicated their responsibilities and that developed countries such as America and Europe do not rely on the boarding school model.
10 June 2026 · The Standard →
Ololtuaa named Principal Secretary for Basic Education
Educationist John Lekakeny Ololtuaa was named the new Principal Secretary for Basic Education on Tuesday, replacing Professor Julius Bitok, who was transferred to the Tourism docket, previously held by Ololtuaa. The changes were announced by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei on behalf of President William Ruto.
10 June 2026 · The Standard →