Raila Odinga Junior, the son of the late Raila Amolo Odinga, has revealed plans to restore his father’s iconic Hummer car.
The car, which became synonymous with the former Prime Minister, was pictured on X (formerly Twitter), parked and covered with a seemingly dusty environment.
One twitter user, @PropesaTV, couldn’t hold back, posting the photo of the vehicle with a caption: “Raila’s Hammer car sent parking. Raila rested!”
But on Monday, December 8, Raila Junior responded to the post. After restoring it, Raila Junior says, the vehicle will be taken to Kang’o Ka Jaramogi Museum in Bondo, Siaya County.
The late Raila made the Hummer car popular in Kenya in 2007. The posh vehicle (Hummer H3) was used during his presidential campaigns, with crowds of Kenyans fascinated by the site of the high-end vehicle.
The red, multi-million vehicle was imported as a gift to Raila by one Don Bosco Gichana, who was supporting his presidential bid.
After the 2007 presidential elections and the subsequent post-election violence, the car gradually faded from the public view.
Jakakimba impressed by decision
Raila Junior’s decision seems to have impressed lawyer and former Raila Odinga aide Silas Jakakimba.
“I have sighted a comment by Junior Odinga on X, telling an X user that this car – the 2007 famous campaign mobility identity for HE Raila Odinga, is being taken to Jaramogi Museum in Bondo. What a timely & befitting decision!”
According to Jakakimba, he was the first person to lay his eyes on the Hummer car.
“I’d just met Bosco thru a contact, and after our pleasantries and the chat, I told him, ‘Ndugu, I have a feeling this car has the uniqueness we’d covet for Jakom’s campaign appearances.’ He responded, ‘Oh, do you think Mzee would like it too?’ I replied, ‘If I tell you we’d covet its impact in the terrains, rest assured PM would be aligned’,” Jakakimba narrated.
Don Bosco, Jakakimba says, would later donate the vehicle to Raila’s campaigns. “I applaud the decision by Junior to have this car taken to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Museum in Bondo, as it reflects a rich history to Baba’s efforts to transform & turn-around the governance architecture of the Republic of Kenya.”
