The retirement of Archbishop Zacchaeus Okoth (pictured) has brought to an end an illustrious career of a man whose name was synonymous with the Catholic Church in western Kenya.
He has been at the altar for more than five decades, having been ordained into priesthood aged 26.He was installed as the archbishop of Kisumu in May 1990.
ODM leader Raila Odinga revealed how he escaped being arrested by dressing as a priest.
During a past church function according to a local daily, Odinga explained how retired Archbishop Zacchaeus Okoth helped him evade police officers during a crackdown on anti-government politicians in the early 1990s during the Kanu regime.
Odinga pointed out that the archbishop had him sneaked out of Ukweli Pastoral Centre at night, dressed as a priest.The veteran politician was then assisted to board a boat that took him to Uganda through Lake Victoria.
The former prime minister of the country, faced numerous challenges during his push for multi partisim in order to end the one-party rule by Kanu.
Yesterday, those who have worked with Okoth described him as a good shepherd.
During the one-party regime in the 1990s, it was Okoth, former Maseno South Anglican Bishop John Henry Okullu (deceased) and a few others who kept Kanu on its toes.Under cover police officers, then known as Special Branch, always trailed them and formed part of their congregation.
In 1982, the ODM leader was accused of a coup against the retired President Daniel Moi where he was imprisoned for six years without trial.
Odinga became the second prime minister of Kenya, a post that was once held by the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, following the disputed 2007 general elections.