A draw between Hull, bidding for a play-off place, and the relegation-threatened U's was a fair outcome.
After surviving early Hull pressure, Colchester almost grabbed the lead through Clive Platt's header that flew just wide.
In a scrappy first half there were few chances until Fraizer Campbell threaded a diagonal pass to Ryan France whose shot was blocked by Gerken.
Johnnie Jackson gave United the lead straight after half-time with a spectacular strike from around 20 yards. Hull keeper Boaz Myhill somehow got his fingertips to the ball but it flew in off the underside of the bar.
The celebrations had hardly died down when Gerken went low to prevent a Chris Coyne own goal.
But the game immediately flew to the other end where Kemal Izzet's shot rolled agonisingly wide.
Okocha, always a threat at set-pieces, picked out Campbell after 63 minutes and the on-loan Manchester United striker directed his header beyond Gerken's reach.
Hull stormed back to the attack with Sam Ricketts chasing to the byline and pulling the ball back to Dean Marney whose shot flew just over the top.
Hull lost Nicky Barmby with a groin injury early in the game to add to their injury woes following Dean Windass's visit to the operating table earlier in the week.
Okocha's display, however, was inspirational after a superb performance from the veteran playmaker.