- Plans have been initiated to preserve Raila Odinga’s iconic 2007 campaign “Hammer,” a vehicle tied to a defining political chapter
- Raila Odinga Junior said the car would be restored and moved to a family museum after photos of it sparked public curiosity
- The news evoked memories of the Hammer’s role in Raila’s countrywide rallies, cementing it into Kenya’s political folklore
- Allies hailed the decision as historic, hinting at deeper symbolism behind why the vehicle still mattered years later
Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Plans are underway to preserve one of the most recognisable symbols of former prime minister Raila Odinga’s 2007 presidential campaign.
Source: Twitter
This is after his son, Raila Odinga Junior, announced that the iconic “Hammer” vehicle will be restored and displayed at the family’s museum in Bondo.
The announcement has stirred memories of a defining political moment in Kenya’s history, when the high-end vehicle became closely associated with Raila’s cross-country campaigns.
Widely known simply as the Hammer, the car was purchased in 2007 and quickly evolved into a powerful campaign identity as Raila traversed challenging terrains while rallying supporters against former president, the late Mwai Kibaki.
How will Raila’s vehicle be immortalised?
Raila Junior revealed the plan after photos of the vehicle surfaced on X, showing it parked and covered, a sight that sparked curiosity and nostalgia among supporters.
Responding on Monday, December 8, he made it clear that the car was not abandoned but was awaiting a new chapter as a historical artefact.
He explained that the once-popular vehicle would be displayed for all to see at the Kango Ka Jaramogi Museum.
“My intention is to restore and take it to the museum at Kango Ka Jaramogi,” he stated.
The move seems to be part of a wider effort by the wider Odinga family to memorialise Raila’s long and influential political journey.
Kang’o Ka Jaramogi has, over the years, grown into a site of national reflection, hosting the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Museum, which chronicles the legacy of the Odinga family and their role in Kenya’s politics.
@e_lumumba:
“This was once the most talked-about vehicle in Kenya. To date i cant see a Hammer without thinking of Raila. Tinga was a movement.”
A_Mwanga17:
“Good projection. I can handle that assignment thoroughly and restore NYUNDO.”
@jnyagwoka85:
“It will lose its meaning if you improve it.Take it there in it’s current state.just my take though.”
@baraka_jb
“It would fetch a fortune if auctioned. A great collector’s item to his loyal supporters.”
Why did Raila use a Hummer in his 2007 campaigns?
Raila Junior’s plan has been welcomed by close allies of the former prime minister, including his longtime aide Silas Jakakimba.
Jakakimba offered rare insight into the origins of the famous vehicle, describing the restoration plan as timely and historically significant.
“I have sighted a comment by Junior Odinga on X, telling an X user that this car, the famous 2007 campaign mobility identity for HE Raila Odinga, is being taken to Jaramogi Museum in Bondo. What a timely & befitting decision!” Jakakimba said.
According to Jakakimba, he was among the first people to see the vehicle before it became a campaign icon in Raila’s 2007 political machinery.
Source: Twitter
He recalled meeting a contact and sensing that the car had the unique presence and capability needed for Raila’s rallies across diverse terrains.
“I told him, ‘Ndugu, I have a feeling this car has the uniqueness we’d covet for Jakom’s campaign appearances,’”Jakakimba noted,
He added that the assessment later aligned with Raila’s own preferences, with the vehicle eventually being donated to support the campaign, cementing its place in Kenya’s political folklore.
Jakakimba linked the Hammer’s legacy directly to the broader reform agenda championed by Raila at the time.
Who is controlling Raila’s social media accounts?
Elsewhere, TUKO.co.ke reported that Raila Odinga Foundation officially took over the late ODM leader’s social media accounts, marking a new chapter in preserving his legacy.
His X bio was changed to, “This page is managed by The RAO Foundation in honour of the legacy of the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, CGH. Father, Prime Minister, Enigma, Hero, Baba. 1945–2025”.
With over 7.2 million followers across X and Facebook, the foundation is expected to use these platforms to uphold Raila’s values and continue his political vision.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
