By Michelle Ndaga
Motivational speaker and pastor Robert Burale has filed a defamation lawsuit against media personality Alex Mwakideu and his sister Rozinah Mwakideu, seeking KSh 20 million in damages over a viral YouTube interview he claims damaged his reputation.
In a petition filed on October 8, 2025, at the Milimani Chief Magistrate’s Court, Burale accuses the two of publishing and circulating defamatory statements made during an interview uploaded on Alex Mwakideu’s YouTube channel on October 4, 2025.
The video, which quickly went viral, featured Rozinah discussing her past marriage to Burale, describing it as a “mistake” and making other personal claims that the plaintiff says were false and malicious.
Burale’s court documents state that the remarks portrayed him as “manipulative, immoral, deceitful, and homosexual,” allegations he insists are entirely untrue and intended to injure his character and public standing.
He further argues that Alex Mwakideu, as the host and publisher, failed to verify the claims or offer him a right of reply before broadcasting the interview, contrary to journalistic and Media Council of Kenya standards.
The plaintiff is seeking KSh 20 million in general damages for reputational harm, along with several court orders, including the immediate removal of the video from YouTube and all social media platforms, a public apology and retraction, and a permanent injunction preventing further publication or distribution of the disputed content.
Burale maintains that the interview’s widespread circulation has caused significant emotional distress and professional damage, urging the court to intervene urgently to stop continued harm.
The case is set to be mentioned at the Milimani Law Courts, where the court will consider the application for temporary injunctive relief pending a full hearing of the defamation claim.
