kagiri was the second-youngest of five children. even back then, she was unusual. >> she was very strong willed. she was small, tough, and liked playing with the boys. she wasn't much like the other little girls. >> back in nairobi, martha kagiri is once again the elegant businesswoman. she lives alone, without a husband and children. and she's a fan of tattoos. it's an unusual life for a woman here, but the new middle classes are transforming longstanding traditions. her tattoo needs a touch-up. it shows two fists breaking apart a link of chains -- symbolizing her independence. >> it's not so many women who do tattoos. it's not so popular. but there is the young generation, many young generation people, who are interested in tattoo nowadays. >> nairobi's new middle class is striking out on its own, bypassing tradition, the old power elites, and backroom politics. like martha kagiri, the middle class is the way of the future -- and they are changing the face of kenya. >> and if you would like to comment on any of our reports here on