The Kenyan technology, internet governance and digital rights community is mourning the untimely death of Rosemary Koech-Kimwatu, a respected technology lawyer, privacy advocate and leader whose work helped shape conversations around digital policy and rights in Kenya and across Africa.
Rosemary’s death is a profound loss to Kenya’s technology and ICT community. She was not only an accomplished professional but also a generous mentor, passionate advocate and community builder who brought warmth, humour and humanity into conversations around technology, policy and digital rights.
In a tribute, KICTANet mourned the loss of a cherished Board Trustee, colleague, mentor and friend, describing Rosemary as a pillar of the organisation who dedicated her expertise, energy and passion to advancing technology policy, internet governance and digital rights across the region.
Rosemary served KICTANet in several important capacities. She was a member of the Board of Trustees, Principal of the Kenya School of Internet Governance (KESIG), and Chair of Multistakeholder Advisory Groups for both the Kenya Internet Governance Forum (KIGF) and the East Africa Internet Governance Forum.
Through these roles, she helped shape important conversations that brought together government, the private sector, civil society, academia and the technical community to discuss the future of the internet and emerging technologies.
But Rosemary was more than the positions she held.
Those who interacted with her will remember her warmth, conviction, humour and genuine dedication to the public good. She believed in people, in a just society and in the importance of building inclusive digital spaces where technology serves humanity.
A Champion for Privacy and Digital Rights
Rosemary was a strong advocate for privacy and responsible data governance, issues that have become increasingly important as Kenya’s digital economy continues to expand.
In her role as Group Data Protection Officer at KCB Bank Group, she worked at the intersection of technology, financial services and data protection. Her work reflected the growing need for organisations to embrace innovation while protecting the rights and personal information of the people using their services.
She was also a strong believer in human rights and justice and advocated for regional technology frameworks that are human-centric and rights-respecting.
At a time when Kenya and Africa are confronting complex questions around data protection, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital finance and online freedoms, Rosemary represented an important voice in ensuring that people remain at the centre of technological development.
Her contribution was particularly important because she understood that technology policy is not simply about infrastructure, innovation or economic growth. It is equally about privacy, dignity, freedoms and ensuring that people can participate safely and meaningfully in an increasingly digital society.
A Leader Who Built Networks and People
One of Rosemary’s greatest strengths was her ability to bring people together.
KICTANet noted that she embodied the true meaning of the word “network,” understanding that meaningful change is built through partnerships, collaboration and the willingness to share knowledge.
She generously gave her time and expertise to others and mentored many people working in technology, law, internet governance and digital rights.
Her leadership demonstrated that expertise and influence do not have to come at the expense of kindness and generosity. She had the ability to engage seriously with complex policy issues while remaining approachable, humorous and deeply connected to the people around her.
Through her work with KICTANet, KESIG, the Kenya Internet Governance Forum and the East Africa Internet Governance Forum, she helped strengthen multistakeholder spaces where different sectors could come together to participate in shaping the digital future.
Although her life was far too short, Rosemary lived it with purpose and left a lasting mark on Kenya’s and Africa’s technology community.
Her legacy can be found in the conversations she enriched, the causes she supported, the people she mentored and the values she championed. It will continue in the institutions and communities she helped strengthen and in the ongoing work to build a digital future that is inclusive, accountable and respectful of human rights.
Rest in peace, Rosemary Koech-Kimwatu. You will be greatly missed, but the values you stood for and the lives you touched will continue to shape Kenya’s digital future for years to come.