Catholic priests in Kisumu react to KTN exposé on ‘corrupt’ cleric

Catholic Church priests from Kisumu have defended embattled Most Reverend Archbishop Zacchaeus Okoth against allegations of corruption, arrogance, intimidation among other transgressions. The priests stood firmly with Archbishop Okoth who they described as their shepherd and father.

They were addressing the media at St Theresa’s Cathedral Kibuye, Kisumu where they stressed the archbishop has followed due procedures in implementation of projects within the archdiocese of Kisumu. They dissociated the archbishop from the contents of the exposé that aired on KTN prime time news on March 26.

“The Archbishop is the custodian of all projects in any Catholic Diocese and he has followed all due process in implementation. This includes appropriate contribution by the archdiocese, local contribution by the community and donor funding,” said the Very Reverend Moses Omollo who is the Vicar General of the archdiocese of Kisumu.

Reverend Omollo said needs of the diocese are prioritised by the bishop but incorporating the inputs of his advisers that are then translated into a five-year strategic plan. “The insinuation in the news clip that priests, brothers and sisters are oblivious of the project is misleading,” said Reverend Omollo.

He said any appointment or transfer of priests in the Catholic Church is the prerogative of the Bishop based on spiritual and pastoral needs. The expose’ established that the transfer of priests to various parishes in Kisumu has been rampant, and ‘such instances are usually tied up with the issues of money’.

“We read mischief and malice in the way the whole news clip was crafted and aired and therefore believe the motive was to assassinate the character of the archbishop,” he said.

The priests failed to state the exact projects the archbishop had initiated, only stating that in recognition of 37 years of immense pastoral achievements in the archdiocese, Archbishop Okoth has set up many projects.

“Archbishop has developed and aided schools, hospitals and other social facilities and therefore we urge the press to be responsible in its reporting,” he said. Immediately they were done with the press briefing, the clergymen stood and left.