Journalist Murindahabi Iréné, popularly known as M. Irene, has denied allegations that he sold gospel singer Ishimwe Vestine and has apologized to everyone who has called him “Judas.”
He addressed the allegations in an interview posted on his YouTube channel on Sunday, September 20, 2026, in which he discussed the ongoing divorce dispute between Ishimwe Vestine and her husband, Idrissa Ouedraogo.
During the interview, M. Irene addressed several allegations that have circulated on social media concerning Vestine, including claims that he received money from Ouedraogo and impregnated Vestine. He also disclosed details about matters he had previously chosen not to discuss, including being summoned by the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) to explain allegations that he had “sold” the artist whose career he managed.
M. Irene said he had never received any money from Ouedraogo, whether for music-related work or for anything else. He further claimed that Ouedraogo reported him to RIB, accusing him of trafficking or selling Vestine after she traveled to Canada and remained there.
“The man you said gave me a lot of money—if that is true, let him show me even one piece of evidence of a transaction, whether it was for music or for anything else, showing that he gave me money and said, ‘Irene, this is money for you to sell your child.’ Even if I had not touched the money, let him produce that evidence and let the law take its course.”
“But there is not a single piece of evidence. This man reported me to RIB. I have evidence of this because RIB summoned me. After I had already been called Judas, they reported me to RIB, specifically to the department responsible for investigating people who traffic other human beings. I went there and gave a statement.” he noted.
M. Irene said he asked the RIB officer who the alleged victim was. According to him, he was told that the person he was accused of selling, Vestine, was an adult. He then provided her phone number and asked the officers to contact her directly.
Vestine was subsequently contacted by RIB and, according to M. Irene, appeared before the authorities and explained why she had remained in Canada.
M. Irene denies selling Vestine
Addressing the allegations that he had sold Vestine, M. Irene said: “I thank God that I did not come from a poor family. But I am not poor in spirit. I was raised by a Christian parent who taught me the Word of God and taught me to be faithful. I will not eat dirty money. I would rather suffer a loss. I will not compromise my principles.”
He added that RIB ultimately found no basis to detain him and told him to leave.
He questioned why, if he had committed such a serious crime, he would have been able to travel back to Rwanda after leaving Canada.
“I left Canada, passed through the United Kingdom, and recently traveled to France and Belgium before returning to Kigali. If I had committed such a crime, would I really have been able to return to Kigali? Let us be honest. People who commit crimes like that do not simply return to Rwanda.”
He also criticized those who, he said, called him “Judas” without considering the implications of the allegations.
“You can insult someone because you know they are used to not responding. You can call me Judas or call me whatever you want, but use some common sense. If you call someone Judas, ask yourself: ‘How much money did this Judas allegedly receive, and how did he manage to return to Kigali with valid travel documents when many people flee the country?’”
M. Irene apologized to everyone who had called him “Judas,” saying he would not take legal action against them despite the hurt their comments had caused him. He nevertheless reiterated that he had never sold Vestine.
Allegations that M. Irene impregnated Vestine
M. Irene also claimed that some social media users had allegedly been paid to accuse him of impregnating Vestine. He further alleged that among the people close to Vestine was a female pastor.
Addressing the allegations that he was Vestine’s alleged biological father, M. Irene said he would not repeatedly defend himself against what he considered a relatively minor allegation.
“Paying people on social media to say that Irene impregnated Vestine—that is a very small and easy matter. What you did first was much more serious, and you know that God helped me overcome it. I do not even need to explain that I did not impregnate her. Just as you do not have to explain that you did not father the children you have, I will not explain that I did not impregnate Vestine. I did not give birth to her biologically; I helped give birth to her through mentorship, through gifts, and through my calling. I will never keep explaining myself about this.” He said.
M. Irene’s involvement in Vestine’s career
M. Irene has been closely associated with the dispute involving Ishimwe Vestine and Idrissa Ouedraogo because he was closely involved with Vestine while managing the interests of her music group. The group included her sister, Dorcas, and focused on worship and gospel music.
The allegations that M. Irene had “sold” Vestine emerged after he traveled with the group to Canada in December of last year for a series of performances. Vestine ultimately remained in Canada, where she later gave birth.
Dorcas subsequently joined her in Canada. The two sisters are currently believed to be living there, while Vestine is involved in divorce proceedings with Idrissa Ouedraogo, who is from Burkina Faso.
