What began as a personal confession by gospel singer Rozina Mwakideu has turned into a national talking point—even attracting strange bedfellows.
In a very an unexpected twist, the Atheists in Kenya Society (AIK) has come out strongly defending Pastor Robert Burale, Rozina’s former husband, after her candid remarks about their short-lived marriage.
Darkest Season in Life
Rozina, in an interview with her brother Alex Mwakideu aired on October 4, 2025, described her marriage to Burale as the “darkest season” of her life—one she now calls her “biggest mistake.” She said the union, which lasted barely a year, was emotionally draining and that she tried leaving three times before finally walking away in 2013.
“I thank God we didn’t have children. That was a blessing in disguise,” she told Alex, adding that her mother had warned her that “darkness” awaited her in the relationship.
But her comments did not sit well with many, among them the country’s most outspoken secular organisation. In a statement dated October 5, the Atheists in Kenya Society, led by its controversial president, Harrison Mumia, accused Rozina of using her platform to “tarnish” Burale’s image.
“It is evident that Rozina is still carrying bitterness and resentment 12 years after the breakup. She hasn’t truly moved on,” the statement read. “Her remarks were petty, vindictive, and meant to damage Burale’s reputation.”
The group went further to urge Rozina to seek therapy and emotional healing—a surprising call from a society that often finds itself at odds with Kenya’s clergy.
“She needs to heal and forgive. Therapy would help her find peace,” the statement added.
For a society that rarely sees eye to eye with the church, its decision to side with a pastor has sparked widespread debate. Some Kenyans view it as a rare moment of objectivity; others see it as an opportunistic grab for relevance in a story that has captivated social media for days.
Meanwhile, Pastor Burale, speaking in an earlier interview on September 26, struck a notably different tone. He described Rozina as a “remarkable woman” and a “strong person of faith,” saying their union failed largely due to “poor timing” and “outside interference.”
Many Voices
“Our biggest mistake was allowing too many voices into our marriage,” he said. “But I hold no grudge. We recently met at a church service, and it was all cordial.”
As Kenyans debate who is right between the two, what stands out most is how a story of love gone wrong has blurred traditional lines. A secular movement has stood up for a pastor. A gospel singer has become the critic. And once again, private pain has spilled into the public square—leaving the country to pick apart the fragments of a relationship that ended more than a decade ago.
