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Mourners begin signing condolence book as Wakalucy founder’s Thursday burial draws closer
18th September, 2026 10:42 PM
A condolence book has been placed at the home of Wakalucy founder Monica Waithera Chege as family, friends, customers and admirers continue to gather to remember the late businesswoman following her death after a battle with cancer.
The book sat on a table covered with a white cloth, with a lit candle beside it as Waithera’s mounted photograph stood nearby, surrounded by fresh flowers as mourners continued to arrive and pay their respects.
The photograph showed the entrepreneur dressed in one of the work aprons that had become part of her identity as she built the Wakalucy brand into a popular name among Kenyans who enjoyed fish and other meals at her outlets.
A video showing the condolence book and the memorial setup was shared on TikTok on Friday, September 18, 2026, capturing the sombre atmosphere at the family home as those who knew the late entrepreneur continued to arrive.
The candle remained lit beside her photograph, while the fresh flowers added a gentle touch to a setting that had become a focal point for people coming to mourn and celebrate the life of a woman whose business had touched the lives of many.
Mourners continued streaming into the home, with each arrival adding to the growing gathering of people who wanted to stand with the family during the difficult period.
Another video shared alongside the condolence-book footage showed burial meetings underway, with large numbers of people arriving to help the family organise a decent final send-off for the entrepreneur.
The meetings brought together relatives, friends, neighbours and other well-wishers, with mourners joining hands as preparations for the burial continued.
During Friday’s burial meeting, those gathered also sang songs as they remembered Waithera, turning the proceedings into an emotional tribute to the late businesswoman.
Further, the family revealed that a candle-lighting ceremony will be held next week as preparations for Waithera’s final send-off enter another stage.
The candle-lighting will be held at the Wakalucy Kamakis branch, one of the outlets associated with the business empire she built during her lifetime.
Her burial will then take place on Thursday in Mukurweini, Karafa.
“Wakalucy updates are that there will be a candle-lighting for her next week Tuesday, and the venue of that candle-lighting is Wakalucy Kamakis branch, and her burial will be on Thursday in Mukurweini, Karafa,” the update stated.
Untimely demise
Balo noted that while many people associated Wakalucy with fish and good food, the name represented much more than the outlets themselves.
“For many, Wakalucy was simply a place to enjoy good food. But behind that name was a woman with a dream, a vision and a passion for what she did,” Balo wrote.
Balo described Waithera’s contribution as a lasting legacy, noting that she had built something that touched the lives of many people.
Content creator Mbote Njogu also mourned Waithera, revealing that although they had never met physically, they had previously spoken over the phone.
Njogu said he learnt about her death through social media, describing the news as painful while also reflecting on the reputation Wakalucy had established among its customers.
“I never met her, but we had conversations through the phone. I have just received the sad news through social media. Your legacy will live forever,” Njogu wrote.
Author
Steve Ireri
Steve is a senior writer with over four years of experience in digital journalism. His focus is on the showbiz and human interest stories. Emails: [email protected] , [email protected]
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