Nairobi, July 26 -- Esther Masese Waititu was just 23 when she joined the banking world as a graduate trainee.

Young, ambitious and fearless, she stunned the bank's CEO during an introductory meeting by declaring that she intended to take his job one day.

In an earlier interview, Ms Waititu recalled that, even then, she believed the best job anyone could aspire to was that of a chief executive. When the CEO invited questions from the new graduate trainees, she wasted no time.

"I want to have your job. Can you show me how?" she asked.

It was a bold declaration from a fresh graduate, but one that would come to define a career marked by steady progression through Kenya's corporate ranks.

Those who have followed Ms Waititu's career may b...