Renowned Nairobi entrepreneur Monica Waithera Chege, popularly known as Wakalucy, has died following a long illness.
Chege, the founder of the popular Restaurant Chain Wakalucy Fish Palace, died at 46 after a long battle with cancer.
Friends and customers shared the news of her death on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, on social media, with many expressing sadness at the loss of the entrepreneur who had become a familiar name among fish lovers in Nairobi.
“Monica Waithera Chege, the entrepreneur behind Wakalucy Fish Palace, has died after a long battle with cancer,” Lilian Millen said in a message announcing her death.
Chege was a single mother of three children — two daughters and a son — who were closely involved in the family business. Her children worked alongside their mother in running the various Wakalucy Fish Palace outlets as the enterprise expanded across Nairobi and its environs.
Wakalucy Fish Palace grew into a popular destination for customers seeking freshly prepared fish meals at relatively affordable prices.
The business established a strong presence in Nairobi’s entertainment and nightlife scene, with several of its outlets located within or near popular nightclubs and entertainment spots.
The first Wakalucy Fish Palace outlet was established at Car Wash Pub along Kasarani-Mwiki Road. The business later expanded to other locations, including Mirema Drive, the Eastern Bypass, the Northern Bypass, Ruiru and Juja.
Through the years, the Wakalucy name became associated with fish dishes that attract a wide range of customers, helping the business establish a loyal following.
Her death marks the loss of an entrepreneur who built her business from the ground up and turned her passion for fish cuisine into a growing restaurant enterprise.
As news of her passing spread, friends, customers and other Kenyans paid tribute to Chege, remembering her contribution to Nairobi’s vibrant food and entertainment scene.
“Always humble, soft-spoken, warm, friendly and deeply respectful to her customers,’’ Paul Neko described her.
Her children, who were actively involved in the running of the business, are now expected to carry on the family enterprise following the death of their mother.
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