The family of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has announced plans to restore and permanently display his famous red Hummer H3 — popularly known as the “Hammer” — at the Kang’o Ka Jaramogi Museum in Bondo, Siaya County.
The announcement, made by Raila Odinga Junior on Monday, marks the family’s latest effort to preserve key artefacts from Odinga’s long and eventful political career. The Hammer, which became one of the most recognizable symbols of Raila’s 2007 presidential campaign, is expected to become a major feature of the museum dedicated to his father’s life and legacy.
The Hummer was first introduced to the public during the 2007 election campaigns, instantly becoming synonymous with Raila Odinga’s energetic political rallies. Often seen cutting through massive crowds across the country, the Hammer became a mobile rallying point for Odinga’s supporters.
“The Hammer is more than a car; it is a piece of Kenyan political history,” Raila Junior said during the announcement. “We want future generations to see it, touch it, and understand the moments it represents — not just for our family but for the country.”
According to the Odinga family, the vehicle has undergone years of wear and tear after decades of use and storage. It is now being restored to display condition, with the family collaborating with local mechanics and historical preservation experts to ensure its authenticity remains intact.
The restoration will include repainting the car in its original shade of red and fitting it with a protective display casing to withstand weather and aging once it is moved to the museum grounds.
Raila Junior noted that the restoration is not intended to modernize the vehicle but rather to “preserve its character” — including the campaign stickers and modifications that made it instantly recognizable to Kenyans in the mid-2000s.
Once restored, the Hammer will be moved to Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, the Odinga family’s ancestral home, which also serves as a public museum and heritage site. The homestead, which houses the graves of the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and other family members, has become a central space for preserving the Odinga family’s political history.
The museum already holds a collection of personal belongings, campaign materials, and political memorabilia associated with both Jaramogi and Raila. The addition of the Hammer is expected to draw more visitors, adding a tangible and emotional connection to the stories told within the museum’s exhibits.
Raila Junior explained that the idea to restore and exhibit the Hammer was inspired by the family’s desire to honor his father’s lifelong commitment to Kenya’s political and social development.
“Beyond politics, this is about preserving history,” he said. “My father’s journey has been a mirror of Kenya’s democratic evolution. The Hammer, in its own way, became part of that story.”
According to the family, the restoration work is expected to be completed in early 2026, after which the vehicle will be formally unveiled to the public at a ceremony in Bondo. The exhibit will include photos, videos, and campaign memorabilia that document the Hammer’s role in Raila’s political life.
