A human rights group has called for an independent investigation into the sudden death of KCB Bank Group Head of Data Protection Rosemary Koech-Kimwatu, while raising questions over an alleged Sh146.3 billion transaction involving the lender.
The Alliance for Human Rights Activists & Defenders for Justice and Accountability on Monday gave KCB Group and its board 72 hours to respond to its demands, including the preservation of electronic records and an investigation into allegations that transaction records may have been interfered with.
The group also wants KCB Group Chief Executive Officer Paul Russo to temporarily step aside pending the completion of independent investigations, saying the move would safeguard the integrity of any inquiry.
Koech-Kimwatu died on Friday, August 21, 2026. The cause and circumstances of her death have not been publicly established.
In its statement dated August 24, the alliance linked its demand for scrutiny to questions surrounding approximately Sh146.3 billion, which it said was held by KCB in connection with a company called Fox Capital Investment Limited.
It cited a formal demand dated August 21 that allegedly raised concerns over the withholding of the funds, internal decision-making at the bank and the preservation of records connected to the transaction.
The group further claimed questions had been raised over whether instructions were issued to delete, alter or interfere with records relating to the transaction.
However, the alliance stressed that it was not alleging the disputed transaction or any alleged instructions caused Koech-Kimwatu’s death.
“We are not alleging that these instructions caused Rosemary's death, nor are we accusing any individual of responsibility for her death,” the group said.
“We are demanding that this line of inquiry be independently investigated and conclusively addressed.”
The activists want investigators to establish whether Koech-Kimwatu, in her role as head of data protection, had any professional involvement in or access to information concerning the transaction.
They also want investigators to determine whether she received instructions from senior officials to delete, alter, conceal or otherwise interfere with transaction records.
According to the group, an investigation should establish who may have issued such instructions, when they were given and what Koech-Kimwatu was allegedly required to do.
It also wants investigators to determine whether she complied with or resisted any such instructions and whether she communicated concerns to colleagues or other parties before her death.
The alliance said investigators should further examine whether Koech-Kimwatu faced any pressure, intimidation or professional conflict in the period preceding her death.
The claims remain allegations contained in the alliance's statement and have not been independently established.
Among its key demands is the immediate preservation of physical and electronic evidence relating to the disputed transaction, including emails, system logs, audit trails, internal communications and compliance records.
The alliance is also seeking a forensic investigation into the allegations of possible interference with transaction records.
It further wants the findings of Koech-Kimwatu’s post-mortem communicated to her next of kin through the appropriate medical and legal channels.
The activists have also called on Russo to step aside temporarily, saying the demand should not be interpreted as an accusation of wrongdoing.
“The call for the CEO to step aside is a precautionary measure, not a declaration of guilt,” the group said.
It argued that temporarily removing the chief executive from office would help protect witnesses, records, electronic systems and other potential evidence from actual or perceived interference.
The alliance called on KCB Group, its board, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and other relevant authorities to cooperate with any inquiry and ensure potential evidence is not destroyed, altered or concealed.
It gave the lender and its board 72 hours to respond and commit to what it described as an independent investigation into both Koech-Kimwatu’s death and the questions surrounding the Sh146.3 billion transaction.
Should the bank fail to respond satisfactorily, the activists said they would consider legal and constitutional avenues, including peaceful demonstrations near KCB headquarters.
“We are not asking the public to speculate. We are demanding facts, due process and accountability,” the alliance said.
The group maintained that an independent investigation was necessary to establish whether there was any connection between the disputed transaction and Koech-Kimwatu’s death.
“If there is no connection between the Sh146.3 billion transaction and Rosemary's death, an independent investigation should establish that,” it said.
It added that if investigators uncovered evidence of wrongdoing, those responsible should be dealt with in accordance with the law.
The statement did not provide independent evidence establishing a link between the transaction and Koech-Kimwatu’s death, making the activists’ demands and allegations matters that would require verification by investigators.
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