Over the past few weeks, the Kakamega-based preacher and TikTok sensation Isaiah Carrier, popularly known as Baba Jimmy, has captured the hearts of many Kenyans with his fluent Swahili and distinctive Luhya accent.
Despite being an American, Baba Jimmy has integrated into Kenyan culture seamlessly, creating a unique blend that has made him a viral sensation.
Isaiah first arrived in Kenya in 2012, when he was just a teenager.
His family, originally from Indiana, USA, relocated to Kiminini, Kitale, a small village that was a stark contrast to their previous life.
“When we came to Kenya, we found an entirely different environment and culture. We settled in a small village lacking basic amenities like clean water and electricity. We did not have a car and often fell sick because of the dirty water. It was difficult, but with time, we got used to the environment, made friends, and began learning Swahili,” Isaiah recalled.
Adjusting to life in the village wasn’t easy. The family faced numerous challenges, including dealing with witchcraft, a common belief in many rural areas.
“Some of our neighboring villagers didn’t like us and used witchcraft to scare us. We got sick often, and even our pets got sick. One day, I found a concoction wrapped in a piece of cloth, which we knew had been intentionally dropped at our home by the witches,” Isaiah recounted.
He took the mixture to his father, who offered prayers, and after that, his sick family members were healed.
Two years later, Isaiah met Judith, who would become his wife. He encountered her through her brother, who was working as an interpreter for his father.
Known for his straightforward nature, Isaiah didn’t hesitate to express his feelings.
“I was about 15 years old then. I kept going to her home because I had started getting fond of her. When I finally decided to pursue a relationship, I told my parents, and they informed Judith’s parents that I liked her and wanted to marry their daughter,” Isaiah said.
Judith, or Mama Jimmy as she is affectionately known, initially took some time to accept Isaiah’s advances.
“He kept coming to my home even when my brother was not around. That is when it dawned on me that he could be interested in me. I did not take him seriously until my mother broke the news to me that Isaiah wanted to marry me once I completed my education,” she recounted.
Despite skepticism from others about marrying a white man, Judith saw beyond Isaiah’s skin color. “People laughed at me and thought I was foolish. They said our marriage was only a contract that would end. Some told me to ask my husband for money to prove if indeed he loved me. But I did not listen to them because, to me, money does not matter when it comes to love,” she said.
Isaiah’s journey in Kenya also involved establishing the Kingdom Driven Ministry church, which attracted many congregants over the years. However, he does not accept offerings and discourages building physical structures for worship.
Instead, church members hold fellowships at their homes. Through his music, like the recent song ‘Utavuna’, Isaiah critiques churches that solicit money from the poor.
“It should be these pastors (with big tummies) who drive fuel guzzlers helping the less fortunate and not relying on the vulnerable to sustain their lifestyle,” he stated. Isaiah encourages his congregants to help needy neighbors rather than bringing offerings.
Isaiah first realized he spoke Swahili with a Luhya accent when he saw comments on his TikTok videos. “Here in the village, my neighbors are not shocked when they hear me speak Kiswahili because I am just one of them,” he said. This unique trait has endeared him to many Kenyans, making him a beloved figure both online and in his community.
