From Legio Maria to Catholic Priest: How Raila Odinga Outwitted KANU

In the early 1990s, Kenya’s political landscape was marked by turmoil and a growing push for multiparty democracy.

At the forefront of this struggle stood Raila Odinga, a vocal opponent of the autocratic KANU regime. His tireless commitment to political reform made him a target, forcing him to embark on a perilous journey to escape the government’s clutches. Raila reveals that retired Catholic cleric Emeritus Bishop Zacchaeus Okoth played a crucial role in ensuring his safe passage from Kenya to Uganda in 1991. The escape plan was intricate and fraught with danger with Raila smuggled out of Nairobi and transported to Kisumu.

From there, he continued his journey through Rang’ala in Ugenya, gradually approaching the Ugandan border. The stakes were high as the KANU regime relentlessly pursued Raila who had become a symbol of resistance. Throughout his transit to Uganda, Raila adopted various disguises to evade detection. At times, he posed as a Catholic priest, blending into the religious landscape of the region. On other occasions, he masqueraded as a Legio Maria adherent. Unsuspectingly, lake fishermen played a role in his escape, ferrying him across Lake Victoria.

To them, he was merely a mysterious stranger, perhaps a spiritual guide sent to bless their journey. As the Archbishop of Kisumu, Okoth understood the gravity of the situation and demonstrated remarkable courage and compassion in facilitating Raila’s passage. The success of the operation depended on a network of brave individuals who risked their own lives to ensure Raila’s safety. Uganda served as Raila’s temporary refuge, but he knew that true safety lay beyond its borders. From there, he fled to Norway, where he sought political asylum.

The journey was treacherous, but Bishop Okoth’s actions had set the wheels in motion. Throughout this ordeal, Raila’s determination to fight for multipartyism remained unshaken. Media reports later revealed the sinister plans the Moi regime had for Raila. Previous detentions had failed to silence him and the government allegedly considered causing him grievous harm.