NAIROBI – Gospel singer Rozina Mwakideu has formally contested a KSh 20 million defamation lawsuit filed by her ex-husband, motivational speaker and pastor Robert Burale, by submitting a detailed 36-page replying affidavit at the Milimani Chief Magistrates' Court. In her response, Mwakideu asserts that the statements she made during an interview are entirely truthful and has consequently refused to issue an apology, asking the court to dismiss the suit as “meritless, vexatious and baseless.”

The legal dispute originates from an interview titled “My Biggest Mistake Was Marrying Robert Burale,” which was broadcast on October 4, 2025, on a YouTube channel hosted by her brother, media personality Alex Mwakideu. Following the interview's publication, Burale initiated legal proceedings on October 8, 2025, seeking KSh 20 million in damages. He claimed the interview was a “targeted character assassination” that portrayed him as manipulative, a swindler, and immoral, thereby causing significant harm to his reputation as a respected cleric and public figure.

Truth as a Defence

In her comprehensive affidavit, Mwakideu maintains that her remarks were not malicious but were a factual account of her personal experiences during their one-year marriage, which ended over a decade ago. She reiterated key statements from the interview, including calling the marriage the “darkest period” of her life. Her legal team, led by lawyer Ochiel Dudley, argues that her statements constitute a right of reply, noting that Burale had previously discussed their marriage on the same platform.

To substantiate her claims, Mwakideu has included annexes containing emails and screenshots of messages exchanged with Burale, some dating back to 2013. She alleges these communications corroborate her statements regarding financial issues and emotional neglect. Furthermore, her affidavit claims that at least five other women, who allegedly had similar experiences with Burale, are willing to testify in her defence.

Court Proceedings and Injunctions

The case had its first court mention on Thursday, October 23, 2025. Subsequently, on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, Milimani Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzyoki addressed Burale's application for an injunction to have the video removed from all online platforms. The court declined to order the removal of the existing video, which has garnered over 815,000 views. However, Magistrate Nzyoki issued an interim order restraining both Rozina and Alex Mwakideu from any further publication or sharing of the interview pending the final determination of the case. The court clarified that this order does not apply to content already in the public domain.

Mwakideu's defence also frames Burale's lawsuit as a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP), intended to intimidate and silence individuals from sharing their personal experiences of alleged abuse.

Broader Implications for Public Discourse

This case has ignited a significant public conversation in Kenya regarding the boundaries between freedom of expression, personal testimony, and defamation, particularly on digital media platforms. Burale's suit accuses Alex Mwakideu of journalistic negligence for failing to verify the claims before broadcasting them. In response, Alex Mwakideu has argued that the interview was presented as a personal testimony, which a reasonable viewer would interpret as a subjective account rather than a verified factual report.

The legal battle highlights the increasing trend of public figures turning to the courts to resolve personal disputes aired on social media, raising critical questions about accountability and the responsible use of influential platforms. The case is scheduled for its next mention on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, to confirm the filing of all submissions.