Rosalind Wanyeki, also known as Rev. Hadassah, is a Kenyan pastor who moved to Canada in 2020, fleeing religious persecution from a powerful church leader in Nairobi.
She has been serving as the senior pastor of Prayer Reign International Church in Toronto, where she ministers to a large community of Kenyan immigrants.
Her pastoral work, combined with over 20 years of ministry experience, has made her known for offering spiritual, emotional, and social support to hundreds in the diaspora.
Alongside her two young daughters, Wanyeki now faces deportation from Canada this August following the denial of her asylum and residency applications.
“I have a deportation for August 7th, and I am appealing to the public to sign the petition and help stop the deportation,” she publicly shared on August 4.
Education background of Rosalind Wanyeki
Rosalind Wanyeki earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Moi University, Kenya, where she studied from 2004 to 2008. During her university days, Wanyeki was active in the Christian Union.
She furthered her ministerial training in Canada, completing a bachelor’s degree in Christian education at Shiloh College, Toronto, which provided her with formal theological education.
Career and Ministry Experience
Earlier in her professional life in Kenya, Wanyeki worked as a Laboratory Technician at Nairobi Bottlers Ltd from 2011 to 2013.
She also has experience as an entrepreneur, operating a business under the Shiloh branding, which has been operating since 2013.
Rosalind Wanyeki fled Kenya in 2020 with her two young daughters, who were aged 4 years and 8 months respectively, citing threats from a prominent church figure in Nairobi.
Since settling in Toronto, she founded Prayer Reign International Church in North York, where she has served as Senior Pastor for over five years.
Her leadership has been praised for having impacted the Kenyan diaspora, providing spiritual, emotional, and community support to more than 1,000 individuals.
Also Read: Canada to Deport Kenyan Pastor and Children Despite Threats from Local Church Leader
In addition to her pastoral duties, Wanyeki is an author, having authored the devotional guide ‘Wait on God, I Say Wait on God’, used to encourage and sustain congregants in spiritual perseverance.
Rosalind’s deportation
Earlier in the year 2025, the family was scheduled to be deported from Canada after their application for permanent residency on humanitarian and compassionate grounds was denied.
The Canadian government deferred the order to allow Wanyeki’s children to finish the academic year in Scarborough’s West Hill Public School, where they were learning.
On August 3, Rosalind Wanyeki reported to an emergency service that she had been scheduled for deportation on August 7, despite her appeal against the application.
“I’ve served the community for those five years (here in Canada) and I pray to be safe, I have tried to reach for help from my MP. I’m getting opposition. I’m getting responses that cannot help me right now, and I need help,” Wanyeki told CTV News Toronto.
In response to her plight, members of Toronto’s Kenyan and East African faith communities held an emergency prayer service and press conference at the Royal Chapel in North York.
A Change.org petition has also been launched in a bid to halt the deportation, garnering support from both Kenyans and Canadians.
Also Read: World Coalition Speaks Out on KHRC’s Martin Mavenjina Deportation
Petitioners argue that the two children have lived in Canada most of their lives, are integrated into Canadian society, and face severe risks if returned to a country they no longer know.
Family life
Reverend Wanyeki is the mother of two daughters, Joylene (9) and Pearl (6).
The family arrived in Canada when the children were approximately four years old and eight months old, respectively.
The girls have integrated fully into Canadian life, and they attend West Hill Public School in Scarborough.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
