Robert Burale has in the past been in debt running into millions but he managed to come out of it, unlike most Kenyans who are still struggling.
In a past interview with K24 Faraja, Burale stated that his addiction to stripping and the pressure to keep up a facade of a flashy lifestyle pushed him into debts.
I USED TO LIVE WITH BOTH MY PARENTS DURING PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL BUT AT SOME POINT THEY SEPARATED.
LIFE WAS GOOD AS WE WERE LIVING A HIGH-END LIFE BEFORE I WENT TO STUDY MARKETING IN LONDON.
I ENJOYED GOING TO A NEW COUNTRY AND THE FREEDOM THAT CAME WITH IT.
Little did Burale know that some types of friends can either make or break you.
I WAS LUCKY BECAUSE EVERYTHING WAS BEING PAID FOR BY MY DAD FOR DURING MY FIRST YEAR SO I HAD A LOT OF FREE TIME.
I STARTED GOING TO STRIP CLUBS WHILE IN LONDON WITH THE FRIENDS I HAD MADE.
He adds,
AS AN AFRICAN MAN LIVING ABROAD, EVERYONE WANTS YOU, SO THE ATTENTION STARTED MAKING US DO THINGS WE WOULD NOT CONSIDER DOING BEFORE.
WE STARTED HOPPING FROM ONE STRIP CLUB TO THE OTHER.
AT SOME POINT WE GOT BORED WITH STRIP CLUBS IN OUR AREA AND WE STARTED VENTURING TO OTHER AREAS.
He adds,
STRIP GIRLS ARE TAUGHT HOW TO MILK YOU DRY.
WHEN THEY SEE YOU HAVE MONEY, THEY WILL MILK ALL OF IT. WHEN YOU DON’T CHUCK OUT MONEY THEY WILL MAKE SURE YOU GIVE THEM SOME.
EVEN IF IT MEANS REMOVING THEIR BRA.
Burale adds it took time for him to accept his addiction.
It took time for me to know I am addicted. For three years I was just in strip club evangelism where we ‘recruit’ other people into the club.
When I came back to Kenya I found so many strip clubs had been opened and so I started going to savor their services.
He adds
THE PROBLEM WAS THAT WHEN I WAS IN LONDON THERE WAS MONEY BUT ONCE I CAME BACK I HAD NO MONEY AS MY DAD HAD PASSED AWAY.
THE FAMILY STARTED FIGHTING FOR WHAT HE HAD.
In a past interview with Radio Jambo, his ex-wife Rozinah Mwakideu, had stated that one of the many reasons they broke up is the many debts he had.
 I WOULD RECEIVE CALLS NOW AND THEN FROM PEOPLE AND POLICE SAYING ROBERT HAD UNSETTLED DEBTS.
IT WAS A CHARACTER HE HAD AND I KEPT WAITING BECAUSE I THOUGHT HE WOULD CHANGE BECAUSE HE WAS BORN-AGAIN.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE MAIN REASON WHY I LEFT WAS AFTER MY FRIEND CAME TO VISIT ME AND AFTER SHE LEFT SHE WANTED TO SUE HIM. I COULDN’T HANDLE THAT PRESSURE PLUS OTHER PERSONAL ISSUES.
Burale explains that his addiction to stripping was where his journey to debts began.
THERE IS NO STRIP CLUB WHERE A WOMAN WILL GIVE YOU A SHOW WITH NO MONEY.
THERE ARE MEN WHO SPEND EVEN 100,000 ON A NIGHT.
I ONCE DID THAT AND THE SAD THING IS THAT IT WAS BORROWED MONEY.
He adds,
I HAD TO KEEP UP A REPUTATION. I HAD TO GO TO BIG HOTELS AND DRESS WELL SO I KEPT BORROWING.
WITH TIME MY DEBTS RAN INTO MILLIONS
IT GOT SO BAD THAT I HAD TO BORROW *JOHN TO PAY *PETER AND THE CYCLE CONTINUED.
I ONLY ACCEPTED I HAD A PROBLEM AFTER I TRIED COMMITTING SUICIDE…
Burale is now out of debt and this he did by paying off debts slowly with the money he got from his jobs as a motivational speaker, actor and Image consultant.
His advice to people out there is
IF YOU ARE BROKE ACCEPT IT. ASK FOR HELP
