Fresh details have emerged surrounding the death of Rosemary Koech, a former employee of Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB). Her sister offered an emotional account of the late businesswoman’s character, professional life, and struggles in the period before her death.
Speaking at her memorial service in Chepseon, Kericho County, on August 29, Rosemary’s sister described her as a strong and fearless woman who guided and protected her family from a young age.
She recalled growing up with Rosemary, who took on a commanding role as an older sister and taught her to confront difficulties instead of retreating.
“My sister was our commander when we were very little, and she taught me so much. She taught me so much, but the biggest thing is that she taught me not to fear. She taught me that when problems come, you face them headstrong,” stated the sister.
The sister said Rosemary Koech carried the same attitude into her professional life, where she believed workplace challenges should be addressed through established policies and procedures.
She rejected any suggestion that Rosemary lacked the courage to stand up for herself.
“When you encounter something at work, what you do is that there are workplace policies and protocols that you should observe to get justice. That’s what my teacher, my teacher, my sister taught me. Therefore, before anything else, I want to assert that my sister was not a coward.”
Sister Says Rosemary Koech Could Not Be Bullied at Work
Rosemary’s sister portrayed her as particularly strong in her professional environment, where she said she excelled and earned recognition.
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She said Rosemary received several awards and was deeply respected by her colleagues.
The sister also recalled how Rosemary’s professional relationships helped others gain access to senior offices and influential people.
She described Rosemary Koech as a defender who readily intervened when people close to her encountered difficulties, recalling an incident the previous year when she came to her aid.
According to her sister, Rosemary’s strength was particularly evident at work.
“Nobody could bully Chemutai in the workplace, because that was where she shone the most. She was given so many awards because of the things that she had done, and we all adored her. Her colleagues saw her as a mighty, mighty person,” stated Rosemary’s sister.
Sister Describes Depression and Fears Over Her Future
The sister later spoke about what she described as Rosemary’s deteriorating mental wellbeing, saying she had been struggling with depression and fears about her home, finances and future.
She said Rosemary Koech was particularly troubled by the possibility of losing her home, not recovering money she had invested, and being unable to enjoy the fruits of her work with her children.
She described the situation as a gradual decline in Rosemary’s mental well-being.
“Chemutai was killed slowly, slowly by depression. She had the fear of losing her home and never having it back. She had the fear of having worked so hard, knowing that hard work pays.”
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Rosemary’s Journal Records Her Biggest Concerns
The sister then read excerpts from what she described as Rosemary’s journal, saying the writings provided an insight into the issues that occupied her mind before her death.
She described Rosemary Koech as someone who regularly documented her experiences, including her business affairs, marriage and relationships.
The entries read at the memorial showed Rosemary Koech reflecting on her home, her work, and whether she could enjoy what she had built with her children.
She also expressed concerns that someone else might benefit from work she had invested heavily in, that she might not recover the money she had put into projects, and that she might not achieve the same level of success again.
The journal further reflected feelings of betrayal, being used and being undervalued by people to whom she had given her all.
Her sister said Rosemary was also worried about how co-parenting would work and what the future would hold.
Despite those concerns, the journal showed Rosemary attempting to look beyond the difficult period and reassure herself that the situation would eventually pass.
“I shall not let a three-year span define me and the rest of my life, with the consequences for the next few months. For the next few months, years, all this shall pass. I need to be stoic, pull up from where I have no idea to ensure I can do all I need to do to stay ahead,” read part of the journal.
The journal also contained references to what Rosemary wrote as hostility and mistreatment from a person in whom she had invested a significant part of her life and funds.
Her sister said the writings showed Rosemary Koech attempting to navigate several pressures at the same time, including her personal relationships, financial concerns, family responsibilities and the future of what she had worked to build.
The sister also confirmed that the family had proceeded with Rosemary’s burial as previously planned. She recalled that the family remained closely involved, including holding her hand throughout her final moments.
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