Pastor and public speaker Robert Burale has sparked renewed debate on gender, justice, and public perception after claiming that society is quick to target and condemn men, often before facts are fully established.
His remarks come amid growing conversations in Kenya around allegations, social media trials, and the long-term impact of public judgment on individuals’ lives.
Speaking in a video shared on social media, Burale argued that men are frequently treated as “easy targets” whenever accusations arise, regardless of whether investigations have been concluded or evidence tested in court.
“It is easy to attack a man. The whole world will support you,” Burale said, adding that public opinion often turns hostile long before due process takes its course.
In his remarks, Burale referenced a past case to illustrate what he described as society’s readiness to condemn men.
He spoke about a man who was allegedly accused of sexually assaulting his daughter and spent a decade in prison before the claim was later recanted.
“The daughter came clean and said her mother put her to it,” Burale said, using the example to highlight the devastating consequences he believes can result when accusations are accepted without thorough scrutiny.
According to Burale, cases like these demonstrate how reputations, families and livelihoods can be destroyed irreversibly, even when innocence is later established.
He warned that public shaming and trial-by-social-media often leave no room for correction once narratives take hold.
Burale argued that men are often presumed guilty in the court of public opinion, particularly when accusations involve intimate relationships or family matters.
He said that once an allegation is made, society rallies quickly around the accusation, sometimes ignoring the need for investigations to run their course.
He also noted that men sometimes face condemnation not only from the public but from fellow men who join in criticism rather than advocating for fairness and balance.
“Sometimes even other men will join in bringing a man down,” Burale said, describing manhood as both a position of responsibility and vulnerability.
The pastor stressed that his remarks were not meant to dismiss victims of abuse but to call for fairness, balance and patience when accusations emerge.
Beyond criticism, Burale urged men facing public scrutiny to remain resilient and grounded. He encouraged men to maintain integrity and personal discipline, even when confronted with public attacks or accusations.
“Walk in the right places. Stay upright even when things are hard,” he said, emphasising personal responsibility and moral strength.
Burale added that while society may be quick to judge, individuals should focus on lawful processes rather than public opinion, which he described as unpredictable and often unforgiving.