"Great loss to industry": Tributes pour in for senior KCB official after death

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- Rosemary Koech-Kimwatu, a senior KCB official and digital rights advocate, died at her Ngong home on Friday, August 21

- Multiple Kenyan organisations have since mourned her loss, citing her decades of contribution to tech policy and internet governance

- The Data Privacy and Governance Society of Kenya remembered her as its founding vice president, known by the name Chemu

Several Kenyan organisations have paid tribute to Rosemary Koech-Kimwatu, a senior KCB official.

She was a prominent figure in the country's digital rights and data protection community, following her death at her Ngong home on Friday, August 21.

How did Kenyan organisations mourn Rosemary?

The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) was among the first to mourn her passing, describing her as central to the advancement of tech policy, internet governance, and digital rights across the region.

Koech-Kimwatu served the organisation in several capacities, including as a Board Member, Principal of the Kenya School of Internet Governance (KESIG), and Chair of the Multistakeholder Advisory Groups (MAG) for both the Kenya Internet Governance Forum (KIGF) and East Africa IGF.

"Rest in peace, Rosemary. You will be greatly missed and always remembered by the KICTANet community," the organisation said in a statement, noting that she combined warmth, conviction, humour, and a deep commitment to building inclusive digital spaces.

The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner also released a statement, recognising her as a trusted voice and champion of responsible personal data use.

The office described her contribution as extending well beyond formal professional engagement.

"Her passing is a great loss to the industry and the wider data protection community. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, colleagues, and all those who had the privilege of knowing and working with her," the office said.

The Data Privacy and Governance Society of Kenya (DPGSK) mourned Koech-Kimwatu as its founding and first vice president, crediting her with helping to shape Kenya's privacy sector from its earliest stages.

"Today, DPGSK mourns Rosemary Koech-Kimwatu, our founding and first Vice President. Her wisdom, diplomacy and dedication helped build our Society and strengthen Kenya's privacy community. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends. Rest in eternal peace, Chemu," the organisation said, using the name by which she was widely known among colleagues.

Koech-Kimwatu's death marks the loss of one of Kenya's most recognisable voices in the intersection of technology, law, and public policy.

What was Rosemary's role at KCB?

Rosemary, KCB Bank Group’s head of data protection, died at her home in Ngong on Friday, August 21.

KICTANet confirmed her death and paid tribute to her contributions as a board member and advocate for privacy and responsible data management.

Koech had nearly two decades of experience spanning law, fintech, public policy and data protection.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.