Staff of State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services Urges President to Reconsider Transfer of Principal Secretary Prof. Julius Bitok

 

In a rare public appeal, the staff of the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services has written an open letter to President William Ruto, urging him to reconsider his recent decision to transfer Principal Secretary Prof. Julius Bitok to the State Department for Basic Education.

The letter, signed by the entire department’s staff, expresses deep admiration and respect for Prof. Bitok's leadership and the transformative reforms he has led at the immigration and citizen services department. According to the staff, Prof. Bitok's tenure has seen significant strides in digitizing services, improving passport issuance timelines, and fostering a culture of excellence and efficiency.

"Under his stewardship, we have witnessed tremendous progress, including enhanced digitization of services, improved passport issuance timelines, and a structured, well-coordinated work environment," the letter reads. The staff credits Prof. Bitok for his open-door policy, which they say has fostered an environment of transparency, cooperation, and high staff morale.

While acknowledging the President's authority to make such decisions, the letter reflects the sadness and sense of loss felt by the department's staff. They express their belief that Prof. Bitok’s continued leadership is essential to maintain the momentum of the reforms and improvements within the department.

The letter goes on to make a specific request: should the transfer to the Ministry of Education stand, the staff urges the President to consider merging the State Departments of Immigration and Basic Education under Prof. Bitok’s leadership. They believe that his unique skill set and commitment to public service would allow him to manage both portfolios effectively while ensuring the continuation of the progress made in immigration services.

The open letter marks a rare instance of government employees publicly addressing the President over an administrative decision, underscoring the high regard in which Prof. Bitok is held within the department. It remains to be seen whether the President will respond to the appeal.

As the situation unfolds, the staff’s message of loyalty to the government's vision and their continued commitment to excellence in public service remains clear, even as they await the final decision on Prof. Bitok's transfer.

This call for reconsideration has sparked widespread discussion among government employees, with many expressing solidarity with the staff of the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services, citing the positive changes and leadership that Prof. Bitok has brought to the public sector.

March 21, 2025