Glee Hotel Ltd, a business linked to Kenyan entrepreneur Mary Wambui Mungai, has been placed under administration due to a significant debt of KSh 7.75 billion. This development marks a critical turning point for the company, which is now under the control of an appointed administrator.
Administration Appointment
Equity Bank, one of the major financial institutions involved in this situation, announced the appointment of Kamal Anantroy Bhatt of Anant Bhatt LLP as the hotel’s administrator. The notice, published in local newspapers, outlined that the directors’ authority to manage the company’s assets has ended. Instead, the administrator has taken over the responsibility of managing and overseeing the company’s affairs.
According to the notice, the administrator was appointed under Section 563(2)(b) of the Insolvency Act, 2015 of Kenya. The notice explicitly stated that Equity Bank Kenya Limited has nominated Kamal Anantroy Bhatt as the administrator of Glee Hotel Limited (under administration) as of Monday, July 6, 2026.
The lender also instructed all parties with claims against the business to submit their claims in writing to the administrator within 30 days. These claims must be accompanied by any necessary supporting documentation to be considered. Additionally, within 12 days of the notice date, the directors are required to provide a statement of affairs to the administrator.
Previous Requests and Agreements
Mary Wambui, who serves as the chairperson of the Athi Water Works Development Agency, had previously sought additional time to fulfill a February 2026 consent agreement with Equity Bank. She requested an extra 60 days to meet the terms of the agreement.
Under the consent agreement dated February 24, Equity Bank agreed to accept KSh 7.75 billion as the full and final settlement of the debt owed by Mary Wambui and associated entities. This amount was intended to be financed through a refinancing arrangement by KCB Bank Kenya, representing approximately 85% of the total debt.
Time was a critical factor in this arrangement, with payment required within 45 days. If the payment was not made within the stipulated period, Equity Bank reserved the right to revoke the settlement and pursue the entire debt, including interest and expenses, through the enforcement of securities.
Legal Pressure and Financial Strain
In June, Wambui was ordered to pay Equity Bank KSh 100 million within seven days to prevent the auction of Glee Hotel in Nairobi’s Runda estate. This order highlighted the growing pressure on her to resolve the financial obligations tied to the hotel.
Tax Allegations
Earlier, Purma Holdings Limited directors Mary Wambui and her co-accused, Purity Njoki, were accused of wilfully and unlawfully failing to disclose taxes due in income tax returns submitted to the commissioner for domestic taxes. The alleged tax offences spanned the period between 2014 and 2016.
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) first summoned Wambui and her daughters in June 2021 over the alleged unpaid taxes. These allegations added another layer of legal and financial challenges for Wambui, compounding the issues surrounding Glee Hotel Ltd.
Ongoing Implications
The administration of Glee Hotel Ltd signals a significant shift in the company’s trajectory. With the administrator now in charge, the focus will likely shift towards assessing the company’s financial status, managing its assets, and determining the next steps in resolving the outstanding debt.
For Mary Wambui, the situation represents a complex web of legal, financial, and administrative challenges. As the administrator takes control, the outcomes of these proceedings could have far-reaching implications for her business ventures and personal financial standing.
