Raila's Former Aide Cheers as Baba’s Legendary 2007 Hummer Finds Home in Bondo Museum

Raila's Famous Hummer. Photo: Courtesy 

Silas Jakakimba, former personal assistant to the late Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has praised plans to move the iconic 2007 campaign Hummer to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Museum in Bondo. 

The announcement, made by Raila Odinga Junior on X, aims to preserve a key artifact from one of Kenya’s most historic and closely contested elections.

Jakakimba, who played a direct role in campaign logistics, recounted first encountering the vehicle through a supporter named Bosco. 

“I immediately saw the potential this Hummer had for Raila’s campaign appearances,” Jakakimba said. 

He added that the vehicle’s design and presence were perfectly suited for the diverse terrains and rallies the campaign encountered across the country.

The Hummer later became a defining feature of Raila’s 2007 presidential campaign, helping the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) make a strong impression nationwide. 

It was officially donated to the campaign by Bosco and was widely recognised as part of Raila’s public image during rallies and roadshows. 

The 2007 elections, which Raila won by a majority vote, were later overshadowed by post-election violence, but the vehicle’s symbolism remains significant in Kenya’s political memory.

Jakakimba described the museum transfer as a timely and fitting tribute to Raila Odinga’s legacy. 

“This is more than a car. It represents a period when strategic campaign innovations were critical to shaping Kenya’s governance,” he said. 

He emphasized that displaying the Hummer will help future generations understand Raila’s contributions and the political landscape of the time.

The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Museum in Bondo has historically preserved artifacts tied to Kenya’s struggle for political reform and democracy. 

The Hummer will join other memorabilia, offering a tangible connection to Raila’s leadership and ODM’s role in shaping modern Kenyan politics.

Raila Junior confirmed that the museum will provide a permanent home for the vehicle, ensuring its place in the country’s political narrative is remembered. 

Jakakimba applauded the decision, describing it as a fitting homage to Baba’s efforts to influence and reform Kenya’s political system.