The ministry of education has found itself under intense scrutiny following a heated exchange at the National assembly retreat in Naivasha, where lawmakers openly questioned the competence and responsiveness of the ministry’s leadership.

Education principal secretary Julius Bitok came under sharp criticism after Kikuyu member of parliament and majority leader Kimani Ichung’wa publicly branded him “clueless” in the presence of his boss the education cabinet secretary Julius Ogamba.

Ichung’wa accused the PS of operating from Nairobi with little understanding of the realities facing schools and parents on the ground.

“You have the most clueless PS in the ministry of education. He only sits in Nairobi and has no idea what goes on, on the ground,” Ichung’wa remarked during the heated session.

Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba escalated the confrontation by accusing both the CS and the PS of ignoring parliamentary concerns despite lawmakers approving sector budgets and oversight reports.

She went as far as calling for their immediate dismissal, stating that she was dissatisfied with the ministry’s handling of the issues raised.

“I am not satisfied as the mover of this motion and I think this minister and his PS should be fired with immediate effect” Wamuchomba said.

At the center of the dispute is the escalating cost of school uniforms, which lawmakers say has burdened parents and exposed gaps in government regulation.

Ichung’wa accused the ministry of failing to protect schools, teachers and parents from cartels and corrupt suppliers who continue to profit from overpriced uniforms.

He further argued that president William Ruto’s intervention on the matter was only necessary because the ministry’s leadership had failed to curb the exploitative practices.

The accusations raise serious concerns about governance, accountability and the effectiveness of public institutions in addressing everyday challenges faced by citizens.