Rosemary Kimwatu: What to know about the woman who championed data protection in Kenya
By Paulette Mboga, August 23, 2026Rosemary Kimwatu Koech, who passed away at her home in Ngong, left behind a career that brought together law, public policy, technology, fintech and data protection.
Her work over nearly two decades reflected the growing need for organisations to take personal data and privacy seriously.
Koech built her career at the point where law and technology meet, taking up roles that allowed her to work on legal, regulatory and public policy matters. Her professional journey included positions in technology, fintech and communications before she moved into data protection.
Her career showed how legal knowledge could be applied to issues beyond traditional legal practice. As technology became more connected to business and regulation, Koech focused increasingly on how personal information is collected, processed and protected.
Her career in law and technology
Koech joined Safaricom PLC in 2020, where she worked as Public Policy Manager. Before that, she served as Head of Public Policy and Legal and Regulatory Specialist at Oxygène Marketing Communications.
She also held senior legal and regulatory roles at technology and fintech companies, including WayaWaya and MODE. These roles helped shape a career that brought together legal work, technology and public policy.
In June 2022, Koech moved to KCB Bank Group as Data Protection Officer after leaving Safaricom. She was appointed Head of Data Protection in June 2023, taking responsibility for the Group’s data protection compliance.
Her move to KCB was reported by CIO Africa in 2022, when she described the transition as a “season of growth and transition” and an opportunity to take on a new challenge.
Koech held a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi. She also had an Advanced Diploma in Public Relations from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, reflecting the different areas that shaped her professional career.
Recognition for her work
Koech received recognition for her work in technology, legal and digital transformation. In 2020, she was included in the inaugural Most Influential Women in Digital Transformation list.
She was also a recipient of the Africa Legal Innovations Awards 2020. The same year, she was listed among the 30 most influential women in tech.
Her work in data protection also earned recognition from the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, which joined her family, friends and colleagues in mourning her death.
Koech was popularly known in technology and legal circles as @TechWakili. She was remembered as a passionate data protection advocate who played an important role in promoting privacy, responsible handling of personal information and stronger data protection practices in Kenya.