A side-by-side image of Pastor Robert Burale and siblings Alex and Rozina Mwakideu.
Nairobi, Kenya — Pastor Robert Burale has suffered a major setback in his defamation case against his ex-wife Rozina Mwakideu after a Nairobi court declined to order the removal of a viral YouTube interview in which she described marrying him as her “biggest mistake.”
The interview, titled “My Biggest Mistake Was Marrying Robert Burale,” was published on October 4 on the YouTube channel owned by Rozina’s brother, Alex Mwakideu, a popular radio presenter. The video has since garnered over 815,000 views, sparking widespread debate and online commentary.
Burale filed a defamation suit against both Rozina and Alex, accusing them of tarnishing his reputation and seeking KSh20 million in damages. He further sought court orders compelling the Mwakideus to pull down and delete the video from all online platforms.
However, in a ruling delivered on Tuesday, Milimani Commercial Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzyoki declined to grant Burale’s request to have the video deleted, stating that such an order would only be considered after a full hearing of the case.
While the court refused to pull down the content, Magistrate Nzyoki issued interim orders restraining both Rozina and Alex from publishing or sharing any new material related to the controversial interview until the defamation case is fully heard and determined.
“An order for interim injunction is granted to stay the defendants (Alex and Rozina Mwakideu) from any further publication of the complained video on any social media platform pending the hearing and determination of the application,” the Magistrate ruled.
The court further clarified that the ruling does not affect the existing content already uploaded, meaning the viral video will remain accessible to the public.
Burale, a Nairobi-based pastor, motivational speaker, and media personality, had argued that the statements made by his ex-wife were false, malicious, and intended to damage his reputation. The Mwakideu siblings, through their lawyer Ochiel Dudley, opposed the application, maintaining that they had a right to freedom of expression.
Dudley assured the court that his clients would comply fully with the interim orders.
The case is scheduled for mention on February 25, 2026, to confirm the filing of submissions before the court proceeds to full hearing.
