Why KCB Manager Rosemary Koech Was Buried at Night

The burial of KCB Bank senior manager Rosemary Chemutai Koech has triggered a legal dispute between her parents and her estranged husband over who had the right to decide where she would be laid to rest.

Rosemary, 40, died on 21 August in Ngong, Kajiado County. She headed data protection within KCB’s risk division. On Friday, a Nairobi court issued interim orders stopping her burial and directing Lee Funeral Home not to release her body until a case filed by her husband, Kevin Migwe Kimwatu, could be heard. 

The orders also restrained her family, the funeral home and KCB from proceeding with the burial without his consent. Despite the orders, Rosemary’s parents buried her at Chepseon village in Kericho County later that evening. The burial took place at about 7.30pm, without a coffin.

Clan elders defended the decision, citing Kalenjin customs that discourage prolonged delays in burial, particularly where a death is believed to have resulted from suicide. Samwel Keter, a clan chairman and relative, told mourners that tradition required the burial to take place within days of death and said the family had acted to prevent further misfortune.

Other community leaders said night burials had historically been practised among the Kipsigis and remained culturally acceptable. The circumstances surrounding the burial reflected the strained relationship between Rosemary’s parents and her husband. 

Her body had been moved secretly from Nairobi to Kericho several days before the burial, with some close relatives reportedly unaware of its location. A heavy police presence was maintained at the family homestead as neighbours and mourners gathered for the burial.

Rosemary’s father, Paul Koech, defended the family’s decision, saying she had been buried on her own parcel of land. He said the property would remain a place where her children could feel at home.

Her sister, Judy Oyamo, also welcomed the burial, saying the family was relieved to have brought Rosemary “home”. Kimwatu and Rosemary’s children were absent from the funeral, highlighting the continuing dispute between the two sides of the family.

In court filings, Kimwatu acknowledged that the marriage had experienced difficulties but said the couple had been working towards reconciliation. He claimed Rosemary had agreed to return to their matrimonial home.

He argued that, as her legally recognised husband, he should have been responsible for arranging her funeral. He said he intended to bury her at his ancestral home in Ngong.

Kimwatu described the marriage as fundamentally loving despite the difficulties 

and said his exclusion from the funeral arrangements was unjust. The case is due to be mentioned on 31 August.