When gospel singer Rozinah Mwakideu sat down for an interview with her brother, Alex Mwakideu, few could have predicted that she was about to peel open one of the most talked-about celebrity marriages in Kenya, a short-lived union with flamboyant city pastor Robert Burale that, according to her, was nothing but pain, deceit, and confusion.

The soft-spoken gospel minister, known for her gentle demeanour and soulful voice, didn’t mince her words. With poise, but piercing honesty, she described her marriage to the celebrated motivational speaker as “the biggest mistake of my life.”

What followed was a jaw-dropping revelation that has set tongues wagging across the country.

Rozinah recalled that from the very beginning, the marriage felt wrong, and she sensed something unsettling that she couldn’t quite explain.

She revealed that even during their honeymoon in South Africa, what should have been 10 days of passion and celebration turned into a cold, distant affair.

According to Rozinah, the two never got intimate during their honeymoon, not even once. “The first 10 days of our honeymoon, we never got intimate. That was a red flag,” she disclosed candidly.

When the newlyweds returned to their Karen home, things did not improve. It was during that period that she stumbled upon something that would forever change her perception of her husband. She claimed that while going through his phone, she discovered videos that shook her to the core.

“I saw gay pornography on his phone. These are things I had never seen in my life. I saw them for the first time on my husband’s phone,” she said, her voice heavy with disbelief.

Rozinah recounted how they shared the same bed for almost a month, but never had any sexual relations. To her, that was no ordinary abstinence; it was a silent alarm of a deeper problem.

Marriage deception

She described the marriage as one marred by “red flags and deep-seated conmanship,” suggesting that deceit, manipulation, and emotional neglect were the hallmarks of her brief union.

Though she avoided going into every detail, Rozinah hinted that many acts and behaviours eroded her trust and made the relationship unbearable.

“My biggest mistake in life was marrying Robert Burale, and my darkest period was being with him. I know why, na si kwa ubaya. I have grown, healed, and moved on. I thank God for that,” she said.
Even at 50 years old, she confessed that the experience remains one of her life’s biggest regrets.

“Lakini paka wa leo, nimeturn 50 years last week and it remains to be my biggest mistake,” she added.

It wasn’t lost on many Kenyans that this explosive confession was made during an interview conducted by her own brother, Alex Mwakideu, a respected media personality with a large following.

The family dynamic gave the story a raw, uncomfortable edge that had fans glued to their screens. While some praised Alex for his professionalism, others accused him of sensationalising a painful family matter for views.

But the moment Rozinah’s emotional testimony went live, social media exploded. The tea was too hot to ignore.

Burale speaks on marriage

Not one to shy away from public scrutiny, Robert Burale had already addressed his past marriage in a separate interview with Alex Mwakideu, before Rozinah’s explosive claims came to light.

In that earlier conversation, the flamboyant pastor and motivational speaker did not retaliate or hint at any looming drama. Instead, he offered a measured and composed take on the failed union, portraying it as a case of two people who weren’t meant to be. “This is my former brother-in-law; I was married to his sister. It is just that sometimes two good people just didn’t work out,” Burale said.
When asked whether issues like violence or infidelity played a role, Burale firmly denied any such occurrences.

“There was no violence in my marriage. There was no infidelity in my marriage,” he affirmed.
His calm tone and diplomatic answers stood in stark contrast to the emotional and pointed revelations Rozinah would later make in her interview with the same host, her own brother. That contrast only added fuel to the public’s curiosity and speculation, setting the stage for one of the most dissected celebrity sagas in recent memory.

Within hours, the story had gone viral. Screenshots, memes, and jokes flooded every social platform. Kenyans, true to form, dissected every word, every pause, every raised eyebrow from the interviews.

One Instagram user, Wallace, quipped: “Wale wa marriage hubamba mafala, the floor is yours.”
Another, Young Legacy, teased Alex: “And Mwakideu is pretending like he’s hearing this story for the very first time.”

Alphonse Musyoka dropped the mic with: “Akisema si kwa ubaya, ni kwa ubaya.”

From Twitter to TikTok, the country couldn’t get enough of the Mwakideu–Burale saga. It became more than just a gossip headline; it was the latest chapter in Kenya’s ongoing fascination with celebrity spirituality and private scandal.

Unexpected ally

Just when it seemed the controversy couldn’t take another twist, the Atheists in Kenya Society stepped into the ring, but not in the way many expected.

In an unusual turn, the society released a public statement titled “We Stand with Pastor Robert Burale,” defending the man of God against the allegations made by his ex-wife.

Harrison Mumia, the society’s outspoken president, surprised many with his position.

“Robert Burale’s ex-wife, Rozinah Mwakideu, has opened up about her marriage to Robert, describing the period as her biggest mistake and revealing the red flags that led to the collapse of their union,” the statement read. “The Atheists in Kenya Society stands with Pastor Robert Burale.”
The irony of an atheist organisation defending a pastor was not lost on Kenyans, and the statement added yet another bizarre layer to the unfolding drama.

As the noise grew louder, Bishop David Muriithi, the founder of House of Grace Church, came out in full defence of Burale. The respected preacher said the public should not use a man’s past to judge him, insisting that Burale was a living example of God’s transforming power.

“I have known the Robert of 20 years ago, and I know the Robert Burale of today, and I can say without hesitation: these are two entirely different men,” Bishop Muriithi said, adding; “There is nothing new or scandalous in what’s being said about him now. Unlike many, RB has never hidden his past. In fact, he told the world openly and courageously who he was and where he came from.”

He went on to quote from Burale’s own book, “From the Strip Club to the Pulpit”, saying it was a testimony of grace and redemption.

“Today, Robert Burale stands before presidents. He speaks on international platforms. He ministers across nations, not because he has no past, but because he is living proof of what God’s grace can do with one surrendered life.”

Muriithi’s heartfelt message ended with a sobering reminder: “If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.” — Galatians 5:15.

Indeed, Burale’s book has long been a window into his past life, a brutally honest account of his transformation from a man addicted to strip clubs and sexual pleasure to one preaching deliverance and discipline. He once revealed how he squandered money in nightclubs, battled addiction, and eventually found peace through faith.

Read Also: Does Burale Have a Case? Analysing His Ksh 20 Million Defamation Lawsuit Against Rozinah and Alex Mwakideu

The book, now enjoying renewed attention, reads like a script from a redemption movie — a man at his lowest, crawling back from ruin to rise as a sought-after preacher, image consultant, and public speaker.

Life today

Today, Burale is more than a pastor. He is a brand, a voice, and for many, a mirror reflecting what second chances can look like.

Away from the public drama, Burale is a proud father to a teenage daughter, whom he often describes as his best friend and greatest gift. The two share a close bond that fans admire whenever he posts her on social media.

The motivational speaker is also a thriving entrepreneur, running Reality Bold Company, a firm that trains leaders, polishes public figures, and offers image consultancy. Under his leadership, the company has grown into one of the country’s most respected mentorship hubs.

He also runs the Robert Burale School of Leadership, where he trains young people in leadership, discipline, and personal branding, living proof of his famous mantra: “You can’t be your best self until you face your worst self.”
The Rozinah–Burale saga forced Kenyans to confront the blurry line between faith, fame, and family.

Was Rozinah’s truth necessary healing or public humiliation? Did Burale deserve the public sympathy or scrutiny? In the court of public opinion, everyone has already taken sides.