Stacy Vugusta, famously known as Pendo, the ‘Ghetto Princess’, remains one of Kenya’s most talked-about socialites—bold, glamorous, and never far from the spotlight. But in October 2020, she found herself thrust into a very different kind of fame after being arraigned at the Shanzu Law Courts. The charge? Failing to settle a hefty hotel bill amounting to Ksh208,000 at the luxurious English Marina Hotel in Mombasa.
To many, it sounded like a typical celebrity scandal—another socialite living beyond her means. But Pendo insisted there was far more beneath the surface. In an interview with Buzz Central, she recounted a story that left many stunned and others whispering behind closed doors.
According to her, a wealthy businessman—one she described as her lover and benefactor—flew her and a friend from Nairobi to Mombasa for what was supposed to be a glamorous coastal getaway. He promised to join them later, booked them into the upscale hotel, and covered the bill for the first few days. Everything seemed perfect, the kind of luxury lifestyle Pendo’s followers envied.
Then things took a sharp turn.
“He stopped picking my calls,” she revealed. “He just vanished. Later he claimed his businesses were not doing well and he couldn’t pay the remaining bill.”
Stranded, embarrassed, and facing mounting hotel charges, Pendo found herself trapped. When asked why she didn’t expose the man during the court case—even though he was clearly at the center of the turmoil—her answer shocked many.
“I am a good person,” she said softly. “And that man… he is a powerful businessman with connections. He can kill me. I could disappear just because of Ksh208,000.”
Her admission painted a chilling picture of the kind of influence the man wielded. And just as mysteriously as he had disappeared, he reappeared—bailing her out and negotiating with English Marina Hotel. An agreement was reached, and after six long months, the bill was finally settled.
Despite the scandal, Pendo’s life continued on-screen. Her fiery appearances on the reality show Nairobi Diaries kept fans hooked. Love her or hate her, she remained unapologetically herself.
Social Media Reactions
@NairobiVibes254:
“Pendo’s life is a whole movie. That man did her dirty! Glad she walked out of it alive.”
@CoastalGossipQueen:
“English Marina is NOT cheap. Imagine being left with a 208K bill. I’d cry in the ocean.”
@StreetPhilosopherKE:
“This is why you don’t depend on sponsors. One disappearance and your whole life is on pause.”
@TeamPendoOfficial:
“My queen survived what was meant to destroy her. Ghetto Princess forever!”
@AnonymousNrbBoss:
“If she’s scared to mention his name, that tells you everything about his power.”
