NAIROBI, Kenya — Raila Odinga Junior has unveiled plans to restore the iconic Hummer vehicle that became synonymous with his father, veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga, during the 2007 presidential campaign.
In a statement titled A Story of Restoration, Raila Junior said the vehicle would first be restored and made available for public interaction before eventually being preserved in a museum as part of Kenya’s political history.
“My initial idea was to take it to the museum, though I’d like Kenyans to interact with it before I do,” Raila Junior said.
The announcement has reignited public interest in the famous red Hummer H3, popularly known as the “Hammer” or “Nyundo,” which emerged as one of the most recognizable symbols of Raila Odinga’s 2007 presidential bid.
According to Raila Junior, the restoration project is intended to preserve an important piece of Kenya’s political heritage while allowing supporters and members of the public an opportunity to experience the vehicle that featured prominently in one of the country’s most consequential election campaigns.
The Hummer was reportedly gifted to Raila Odinga by supporters of his presidential campaign, including businessman Don Bosco Gichana. At the height of the campaign season, the vehicle became a major attraction at political rallies across the country.
Supporters would often chant “Hummer! Hummer! Hummer!” whenever Raila arrived at campaign events, transforming the luxury sport utility vehicle into a political symbol associated with strength, resilience and change.
Beyond its practical role as a campaign vehicle, the Hummer evolved into a powerful political brand. The nickname “Hammer” became widely adopted among Raila’s supporters and was frequently used to symbolize the Orange Democratic Movement’s political momentum during the period.
Following the disputed 2007 General Election and the subsequent post-election crisis, the vehicle gradually disappeared from public view, making only occasional appearances in the years that followed.
The restoration announcement was welcomed by Raila’s former aide, Silas Jakakimba, who shared previously unknown details about the vehicle’s acquisition.
Jakakimba revealed that he was among the first people to see the Hummer before it was incorporated into Raila’s campaign strategy.
“One of the unknown stories about this hammer machine is that I was the first to lay my eyes on it,” he wrote.
He recounted meeting Don Bosco Gichana and immediately recognizing the vehicle’s potential political impact.
“I told him, ‘Ndugu, I have a feeling this car has the uniqueness we’d covet for Jakom’s campaign appearances,’” Jakakimba recalled, adding that he believed Raila would appreciate the vehicle’s symbolic value and visibility during campaign tours.
Political memorabilia associated with the late Raila Odinga have increasingly attracted historical interest as the veteran politician’s decades-long role in Kenya’s democracy movement, constitutional reforms, and electoral politics continues to shape the country’s political narrative.
If the restoration proceeds as planned, the Hummer will transition from a campaign machine into a historical artefact, preserving a tangible reminder of one of Kenya’s most memorable political eras while offering future generations a glimpse into the symbolism that defined the 2007 campaign trail.
