Kenyan President Seeks Guidance from Evangelical Pastors for Upcoming Haiti Mission

NAIROBI, Kenya-In the lead-up to Kenya's deployment of police officers to Haiti, President William Ruto has sought advice from political advisers, security officials, and foreign leaders for the high-profile anti-gang mission. Unconventionally, he has also consulted a group of Christian evangelical pastors close to him and his wife.

These pastors have provided recommendations and acted as intermediaries between Haitian communities and President Ruto, according to interviews with two pastors and three Haitian and American evangelical leaders. Spokespeople for President Ruto and his wife, Rachel, did not respond to requests for comment.

The pastors' preparations for the deployment, set to begin later this month, included meetings with Haitians in the United States, evangelical counterparts, U.S. government officials, and even Haiti's notorious gang leader, Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier.

"We believe that we are a tool that God will use to help," said Serge Musasilwa, a Kenyan evangelical pastor involved in the initiative. Musasilwa, a sociologist by training, has experience in conflict resolution in his native Democratic Republic of Congo and other African countries. The relationships forged with Haitian communities are expected to help the Kenyan-led multinational force avoid the mistakes of previous foreign interventions in Haiti, which have left legacies of human rights abuses and disease.

The United Nations has said it left Haiti relatively stable when a 13-year peacekeeping mission withdrew in 2017. However, some are skeptical of the Kenyan pastors' approach. Evangelicals have a complex history in Haiti, where they have been involved in humanitarian projects but have also faced criticism for ethical scandals and preaching intolerance of local spiritual practices.

Pierre Espérance, Executive Director of the National Human Rights Defence Network in Haiti, said Kenya should focus on its security mandate rather than attempting to engage gang leaders. "It's not a question of the gospel or praying with gangs that will resolve problems," he told Reuters.

President Ruto and his wife are known for their strong Christian faith and have involved evangelical leaders in state matters, including through the First Lady's "faith diplomacy" program. Rachel Ruto mentioned in March that they were working on a "spiritual solution" for Haiti and emphasized the importance of prayer for the mission.

The pastors' involvement in Haiti policy highlights President Ruto's commitment to the mission, despite repeated delays and opposition from some prominent Kenyans. Evangelicals have long been interested in Haiti due to its humanitarian crisis and concerns about traditional Vodou beliefs. Haiti is the least developed country in the Western Hemisphere, according to the U.N., and is facing increasing gang violence.

The initiative has both a faith-driven and strategic motivation, according to Pete Inman, an American evangelical close to the Rutos. It also strengthens ties with the U.S., the mission's main financial backer. In public remarks, President Ruto has cited a moral responsibility to Haiti's African-descended population.

In meetings in Texas and Nairobi, Kenyan pastors and American evangelicals developed a plan to address law and order, the humanitarian situation, political leadership, and spiritual issues in Haiti. Rachel Ruto presented their proposals to her husband.

The pastors have also engaged with U.S. State Department officials and held a Zoom call with Haitian gang leaders, including Barbecue. Musasilwa, who led the conversation, expressed hope that the conflict could be resolved peacefully.

Despite the practical aspects of the deployment, Musasilwa and Pastor Julius Suubi believe Haiti's problems are primarily spiritual. They have launched a global prayer campaign for Haiti and created a 134-page prayer guide, focusing on Vodou.

As the deployment date approaches, the Kenyan pastors remain hopeful that their unique approach will make a difference in stabilizing Haiti.