Most Rev. Zacchaeus Okoth,University Founding Chancellor.
Areas of expertise
Education
DPL, St. Thomas A. Seminary, Nairobi, 1968. STB, Gregorian University, Rome, 1969. Licentiate of Sacred Theology, Gregorian University, Rome, 1971.
Career
Lecturer, St. Thomas A. Seminary, Nairobi, 1971-1974
Dean of philosophy/theology, St. Thomas A. Seminary, Nairobi, 1972-1973;
Lecturer in African religion, University of Nairobi. 1972-1973;
Rector, St. Augustine S. Seminary, Bungoma, 1974-1978;
Bishop of Kisumu, Kenya, since 1978;
Archbishop of Kisumu, Kenya, since 1990.
Chairman development department Kenya Catholic Secretariat, Nairobi, 1979-1981.
President, chairman Kenya Episcopal Conference, Nairobi, since 1991.
Achievements
Most Rev Zacchaeus Okoth, Archbishop Emeritus of Kisumu was ordained priest of Kisumu in 1968 and became bishop elect in February 1978, and on April of the same year he was consecrated bishop. Twelve years later, he was appointed archbishop.His footprints will be felt largely in education, having initiated projects that saw him pioneer dozens of schools, some named after him such as Bishop Okoth Girls School – Mbaga in Siaya county; Bishop Okoth Ojolla Secondary School in Kisumu and Bishop Okoth Miranga in Seme Sub-county.Other schools include St Mary’s Lwak Girls, St Francis Rang’ala Girls, St Oda Aluor Girls, as well as schools for students with special needs. The Catholic Archdiocese is feted for supporting girl-child education, thanks to Most Reverend Okoth, the Archbishop Emeritus. Some of its schools have a long history of exemplary performance in national exams.Archbishop Emeritus Okoth also started Uzima University, which is his brainchild. The University is yet to receive a charter which would allow its expansion in order to attract more medical students.On health, the Catholic Archdiocese is feted for its role in the management of HIV-Aids.The foundations of the Archdiocese of Kisumu dates back to 1903 with the arrival of the First Mill Hill missionaries in Western Kenya. The Diocese of Kisumu assumed its administrative status on July 17, 1925 with the erection of the Vicariate of the Upper Nile which covered Eastern Uganda, which later became a Prefecture Apostolic of Kavirondo on May 27, 1932 and Vicariate Apostolic of Kisumu on May 25, 1953. On June 9, 1953 the Diocese of Kisumu was formally created, covering an expansive area including parts Nakuru and Ngong dioceses.The Diocese of Kisumu was elevated to a Metropolitan see on May 21,1990. Since then, the Archdiocese has witnessed tremendous growth in terms of faith and other social developments within and in its seven Suffragan Dioceses, which include Bungoma, Eldoret, Homa Bay, Kakamega, Kisii, Kitale and Lodwar.Currently in the whole Metropolis there are about 2,649 primary schools, 700 secondary schools, 40 middle level colleges, polytechnics and other institutions sponsored by the Church. These institutions are currently offering artesian courses. The Metropolitan See also has approximately 320 hospitals and dispensaries serving its population which is about 18 million people.The See of Kisumu itself hosts a larger share of these institutions. Currently there are 250 secondary schools, 1,020 primary schools, 53 hospitals and dispensaries, 15 polytechnics, 20 Special Education centres including small homes for the disabled.
Due to his wise counsel to politicians, Archbishop Okoth earned a seat at the 14-member Building Bridges to Unity Advisory Task Force, which is handling the nine-point peace agenda of the March 9, 2018 handshake of President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition Leader Raila Odinga. The agenda includes addressing ethnic antagonism and competition; lack of national ethos; inclusivity; devolution; safety; security and fight against corruption.
His inclusion in the Unity Advisory Task Force team was likely driven by his campaign for peace during the national Prayer Day on October 6, 2017 at the Village of Mary National Shrine in Subukia, Nakuru County, which was attended by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Awards
Decorated Knight of Columbus, Knight of St. George.
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