Azimio leader Raila Odinga on Sunday June 30, 2024 visited his ailing long-term friend, Archbishop Emeritus Zacchaeus Okoth.

Raila visited Okoth who is currently undergoing treatment at the Aga Khan Hospital in Kisumu.

In a statement on his X page, Raila shared photos while with Okoth and some attending doctors in the hospital room.

The Azimio leader wished him a quick recovery as he reflected on his enduring friendship and selflessness that facilitated his exile to Uganda.

“I visited Archbishop Emeritus Zacchaeus Okoth, who is currently hospitalised, to wish him a speedy recovery,” Raila stated.

“He selflessly enabled my passage to Uganda and ultimate exile during difficult times and I remain grateful,” he added.

Okoth who retired five years ago was ordained into priesthood aged 26, he was later installed as the archbishop of Kisumu in May 1990.

He is one of the church leaders who gave former president Daniel Moi (now deceased) sleepless nights during the Kanu regime through his hard hitting sermons.

Initially, the opposition leader narrated while in Kisumu how Okoth helped him to escape police who were pursuing him during the crackdown on anti-government politicians in the 1980s.

He explained how Okoth assisted him sneak out of Ukweli Pastoral Centre under the cover of darkness, dressed as a priest.

At that time, the Bishop assisted Raila to board a boat on Lake Victoria as he exiled to Uganda.