Zacchaeus Okoth Explained

Mgr. Zacchaeus Okoth (born 5 July 1942) is a retired Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kisumu in Kenya.

Biography

Okoth was ordained a priest on 13 November 1968. He was appointed Bishop of Kisumu on 27 February 1978, and became Archbishop when Kisumu was elevated to an archdiocese in 1990. Okoth was actively involved in politics during his career, having argued that the passage 2010 constitutional referendum was not enough to end the "culture of impunity among political leadership".^[1] Okoth retired in 2019 after over five decades as a priest.^[2]

Corruption allegations

Okoth has been accused by parish officials and other priests of corruption.^[3] According to one report, Okoth routinely mismanaged church funds and went as far as to harass other priests.^[4]

Sources

• Catholic Hierarchy: Zacchaeus Okoth

Notes and References

1. Web site: AFRICA/KENYA - “A new culture of transparency and accountability” - Agenzia Fides. 2021-10-27. www.fides.org.
2. Web site: Mbenywe. Mactilda. End of era as Archbishop Zacchaeus Okoth retires after 5 decades. 2021-10-27. The Standard. en.
3. Web site: Lawrence. John. Corruption in the name of God:How Kisumu Catholic archbishop looted church. 2021-10-27. Standard Entertainment and Lifestyle. en.
4. Web site: Parish leaders call for Pope's intervention over church corruption allegations. 2021-10-27. hivisasa.com.