A Kenyan preacher and her two daughters have been deported from Canada after immigration authorities rejected their final appeal to remain in the country.
Reverend Rosalind Wanyeki, also known as Rev. Hadassah, had been living in Toronto since 2020. She claimed she fled Kenya due to fear for her safety and had asked the Canadian government to allow her and her children to stay permanently.
According to court records, her last request was turned down earlier this week, clearing the way for their deportation.
The three were placed on a flight to Nairobi on Thursday and were expected to arrive on Friday afternoon via Ethiopian Airlines.
During her hearing, Rev. Wanyeki told the judge that she feared returning to Kenya. She explained that life in her home country had become very difficult and unsafe.
She also stated she had built a gospel ministry in Toronto and wanted more time to apply for permanent residency.
However, Canadian immigration authorities were not convinced her situation qualified as persecution. The judge ruled that her case did not meet the legal requirements for asylum and allowed the deportation to proceed.
Her comments about Kenya being “a hard place to live” caused mixed reactions back home. While some Kenyans online expressed concern over her situation, others criticized her, arguing that her remarks portrayed the country negatively.
A few questioned her credibility as a pastor, accusing her of using religion as a way to remain abroad.
Despite the criticism, many agreed that economic challenges are pushing more Kenyans to seek better lives overseas.
High unemployment, rising costs, and insecurity have made migration a common dream for thousands.
By Gazeti la Leo