Family and friends attend Rosemary Koech Kimwatu’s memorial service in Kericho

On Saturday, August 29, 2026, family, friends, colleagues, and members of Kenya's technology and legal communities convened in Chepseon, Kericho County, for the memorial service of data protection pioneer Rosemary Chemutai Koech, widely known as Rosemary Kimwatu. Known as TechWakili in the technology sector, Koech was celebrated as a trailblazer who significantly impacted discussions on privacy, digital rights, and the responsible use of personal data in Kenya.

The executive, who held the position of Head of Data Protection at KCB Bank Group until her passing on August 21, 2026, had forged a career encompassing law, public policy, telecommunications, technology, and finance. Her professional journey commenced at Safaricom, where she earned recognition as a strong advocate for data protection and technology policy.

The tribute-filled event witnessed an outpouring of condolences from the technology and data governance community, with colleagues lauding Koech for her unwavering commitment to privacy and her role as a mentor to numerous aspiring professionals. The day's proceedings, however, were marred by a legal dispute that escalated following Koech's demise.

A Nairobi court issued an interim injunction on August 28, 2026, preventing the removal and burial of her remains without the consent of her husband, Kevin Migwe Kimwatu. The disagreement stemmed from Koech's employment records at KCB, which listed her sister, Judy Koech-Oyamo, and her son, Charles Migwe Kimwatu, as her designated next of kin.

The court's decision, which was set to be revisited on August 31, 2026, added an unexpected layer of complexity to the emotional proceedings.

Despite the contentious issue surrounding her funeral arrangements, mourners in Chepseon gathered to pay their respects and celebrate the life and legacy of a woman whose professional endeavors have left an indelible mark on Kenya's data protection landscape. Koech is survived by four children. In a poignant tribute to her legacy, KICTANet and her family established the Rosemary Koech-Kimwatu Education Fund to support their education, marking the inception of the fund with a Ksh1 million donation.

Her remains were laid to rest on Friday, August 28, 2026, with a memorial service on the following day, thus concluding an emotionally charged week that saw Kenya's technology, legal, and corporate communities mourn the loss of one of the country's most influential voices in data protection.