A prominent Nairobi pastor is taking a media personality to court over a viral interview. Pastor Robert Burale has sued Alex Mwakideu and his own former wife, Rozina Mwakideu, claiming they defamed him in a YouTube video.
The case has sparked a sharp legal debate. Burale says the interview destroyed his reputation. Mwakideu argues he was simply presenting the other side of a story and that his actions are protected by free speech laws.
Pastor Burale Says His Good Name Was Attacked
Pastor Robert Burale describes himself as a respected religious leader and public figure. He states that an interview on Alex Mwakideu’s YouTube channel has caused him severe harm.
The interview in question was posted on October 4, 2025. It featured Rozina Mwakideu, who is both Burale’s former wife and Alex Mwakideu’s sister. The title of the video was “My Biggest Mistake Was Marrying Robert Burale.”
Burale’s legal team points to specific statements made in the interview. They provide English translations of sections where Rozina Mwakideu describes Burale as controlling, saying he separated her from her family and friends. She also called him a manipulator and suggested he used the same stories of marriage and money with other women.
Burale argues that all these statements together paint him as a sexual predator, a hypocrite, a criminal, and a swindler. He says this false image contradicts his work as a Christian pastor and has damaged his standing in the community.
He blames Alex Mwakideu for acting unprofessionally by airing these claims without checking their truth or asking for his side of the story. He is especially upset that Mwakideu encouraged viewers to share the video widely.
Burale is asking the court to force the removal of the video. He also seeks a permanent order to stop further publication of these claims, a formal public apology, and twenty million Kenyan shillings in damages for the harm caused to his reputation.
Alex Mwakideu Defends His Actions as Fair Journalism
In his response, Alex Mwakideu strongly opposes Burale’s requests. He identifies as a media professional and says his work is protected by the Kenyan Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression.
Mwakideu explains his reasoning for the interview. He says that after he had interviewed Burale on his channel, many people asked to hear Rozina Mwakideu’s perspective. He states he was simply providing a “right of reply” to present the other side of the story, which he believes is a fair and balanced practice.
A key part of his defense focuses on Burale’s own public persona. Mwakideu points out that Burale has built his career on discussing his past life, which included topics like addiction and womanizing. Burale has written a book called “From the Strip Club to the Pulpit” and has spoken about these subjects in other interviews and podcasts.
Mwakideu’s legal team argues that Burale cannot now claim his reputation was harmed by similar topics being discussed by his former wife. They say Burale has already made these matters public himself.
On the legal front, Mwakideu cites several past court decisions to support his position. He notes that Kenyan courts are traditionally very cautious about stopping speech before a full trial, especially when the speaker argues the statements are true or are a fair comment on a public issue.
He states that Burale has not shown that he has suffered real, irreparable harm. As evidence, he points to Burale’s continued work, including upcoming preaching engagements and leadership conferences, which show his career has not been halted.
Mwakideu asks the court to dismiss Burale’s application for an injunction, arguing that the issues are too complex to decide without a full trial where all evidence can be examined.
A Decision That Will Balance Two Important Rights
This case puts two fundamental rights against each other: the right to protect one’s reputation and the right to freedom of speech.
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