Nestled along Nairobi’s Northern Bypass in the leafy suburb of Runda, Glee Hotel Nairobi is one of the city’s most distinctive hospitality investments.
The facility, a 211-room is designed to blend business convenience with resort-style relaxation. Glee features nine versatile meeting rooms, expansive conference facilities and a lush outdoor garden suited for corporate functions and social events.
Its strategic location near the United Nations complex, Village Market and Karura Forest makes the facility attractive to diplomats, corporate travellers, and event organisers seeking both accessibility and tranquility.
Guests are offered a range of lifestyle amenities, including six restaurants and bars, a vibrant nightclub, a heated swimming pool, a spa, recreational spaces for families and a serene skywalk.
The hotel is a brainchild of Mary Wambui Mungai, one of Kenya’s most prominent business figures whose career spans entrepreneurship, procurement, and public service.
Born and raised in Gachinja in Gatundu South, Wambui began her professional journey as a clerical officer at the Ministry of Health. Her early exposure to public sector operations would later shape her transition into business.
In the mid-1990s, she ventured into entrepreneurship by founding Purma Holdings Limited, a firm that grew into a major player in government procurement.
Through the company, Wambui built a diverse portfolio that included supplying uniforms and tactical gear to the Kenya Defence Forces, providing medical supplies through the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), and engaging in general trade ranging from food imports to office equipment.
The firm’s growth positioned her among the country’s influential business leaders and enabled investments across multiple sectors, including hospitality.
Through the firm, Wambui also joined the billionaire club, a milestone that was followed by multiple court battles.
In 2021, Wambui and her daughter, Purity Njoki, were accused of evading Sh2.2 billion in taxes. They, however, won the case in 2023 following a review by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), a move that sparked intense public debate.
The businesswoman is said to be a key financier for President Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA). As a result, she has been rewarded with strategic roles in Ruto’s administration.
In August 2025, President Ruto revoked her appointment at the Communications Authority and immediately reassigned her to chair the Athi Water Works Development Agency.
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