It's Wednesday morning inside Chase Bank, Eastleigh branch. Ibada Ahmed seems unfazed by the chaos outside on the famous First Avenue – matatus and trucks hooting, touts and hawkers calling for customers, and the hordes of traders and buyers going about their business.
She checks her computer, logs on and keenly goes through a document before one of the phones on her desk rings. She turns on her black swivel chair, takes the call and, after issuing instructions to the person at the other end of the line, she turns back and smiles.
"What I like most about my job is that I work in Eastleigh," she says. "The infrastructure is bad, the drainage system is bad, but there is a lot of formal and informal banking."
Money and banking interest Ms Ahmed a great deal for she is the manager of this branch of Chase Bank. She is also the country's youngest bank manager at 23.
The din from a nearby construction site distracts her for a split second. Again, with one of her disarming smiles, she says: "A big complex is coming up, and it will block my view. But it is not going to be an obstruction. As a banker, you don't see it like that; it is an opportunity for business."
Ms Ahmed does not conform to the stereotype of the girl-next-door or the typical 23-year-old. At that age when many youth are still trying to figure out life, she is already grappling with the stuff that company chief executives worry about – shareholders, clients, business development and other similarly nerve-wracking business matters.
Dressed in a grey business suit, a red top, black shoes and a stylish headscarf, she exudes an aura of control and power and she seems unaware of her attractiveness and youth.
Her mien is mature and reflective. We later learn that she drives a Toyota Premio, a car rarely driven by the ordinary 20-something youth. The only obvious "young" thing about her is her physical looks.
Kenya's youngest bank manager is taking the industry and social challenges in leading this bank in her stride.
A go-getter, according to her mother Khali Mohamed, Ms Ahmed says the secret of her success is balance.
Putting her hands on the table, displaying perfect nails without a trace of nail polish, she says: "You can have a life and be an achiever. It has made me be what I am. You don't have to be a geek. I try to balance both as much as possible."
But her family, friends and former college mates at the University of Nairobi say she is tough as nails.
"She is assertive, confident, courageous, aggressive and open-minded," says Sue, a former college mate.
She says her ambition is driven by the desire to achieve the expectations of the bank's shareholders and customers.
"But the most important is inspiring and bringing out the best in my staff," she told Lifestyle.
She says it is an enriching experience to be entrusted with customers' money. As a branch manager, she is in charge of business development and innovation while her assistant makes sure the operations run smoothly.
Six months on, there is no doubt about Ms Ahmed's achievements in the nation's banking industry.
Fits the bill
For starters, the Central Bank's endorsement of her appointment shows that she fits the bill. CBK's Bank Supervision Department, which processes corporate approvals for banking institutions in regard to opening and closing of places of business, appointment of directors and senior managers, gave her appointment the nod six months ago.
"During the job interview when I was asked by one of the senior managers what would be the biggest challenge for me, I sat very quietly, and what came to mind was motivating my staff," says Ms Ahmed, who oversees a team of 15 staff aged between 23 and 36.
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Source: Breaking News, Kenya
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