Nairobi, June 7 -- When Joshua Oigara took over as chief executive of KCB Group in 2012, he spent considerable time trying to emerge from the shadow cast by his predecessor, Martin Oduor-Otieno.

More than a decade later, that shadow remains firmly in place.

Mr Oduor-Otieno, who was recently appointed chairman of Allianz-Sanlam Insurance Kenya, has joined a select club of corporate leaders who have chaired more than one listed company at once, cementing his position as one of Kenya's most influential boardroom figures. He also chairs the board of the East African Breweries Limited (EABL).

Today, however, his reputation extends beyond the institutions he once led. In corporate circles, Mr Oduor-Otieno is increasingly regarded as the "coa...