Arriving for the opening of parliament on Tuesday, Raila Odinga emerged from a sparkling new-looking Hummer SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) luxury vehicle and caused quite a stir even as observers asked themselves many questions about the ODM founder and this rare luxury car.
Hummers are sold and marketed by well known American car maker GM although they are manufactured by a totally different little-known company. Hummers are based on the military High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, or Humvee. The Hummer is one of the largest SUV types, with a legendary high fuel consumption.
California governor and movie star (fondly nicknamed Governator) was the first private citizen to own a Hummer and continues to own several. In Kenya there is an argument as to how many people own this extremely expensive vehicle, but many believe that the number is not more than 5.
So where did Raila's Hummer come from? Does he not need all the money that he can spare for his ongoing presidential campaign? This is one of the regular slip ups that usually have a negative image on the Langata MP and presidential aspirant because his critics will not fail to pounce on it and make a big issue out of it. And quite rightly so. If Raila is being seen in such cars now, what can we expect of his presidential motorcade?
Read more details on Hummer from this FAQ (frequently asked questions) page.
The money is in what you enjoy most
Regular violent wife rape by a dutiful husband.
I dont think you should question the source of this car when Raila himself has said it is a donation from supporters of his presidential bid in the US. There is nothing irregular in that. Unless you have proof, that is just speculation. And knowing what Kenyan political arena is, I think it wont be the last hummer you will see before end of 2007. Mind you Chris, there are Kenyan MPs who own helicopters and yachts, and possess wealth that does not match their income and/or business activity. It is a problem brought about by corruption.
ReplyDeleteIt is not easy to defend Raila on this. If the friends actually gave him the car, then it must be to buy future loyalty - read corruption!
ReplyDeleteHe either thinks Kenyans in the Diaspora are stupid or the locals are fools. The Kenyans in diaspora who support ODM must surely know the problems facing Kenyans. Imagine the dilapidated schools in some of the ODM areas or even the problem of toilets in Raila's own constituency? I am certain right thinking Kenyans would have given Raila the money for such interventions and not a HUMMER!!!
Can Raila stand up and accuse this government of Kibaki of extravagance when he shows off such opulence?
Now this is Stupid Chris! I mean the guy is an MP he earns 800,000 atleast every month the car costs ksh 5 million! The question is, is it hard for Raila to buy a car worth 5 million? I wouldn't be suprised if someone owned a Rolls Royce bently!
ReplyDeleteChris let me give you my honest opinion about this blog. When I first read knew about it, I loved it and thought alas! someone is doing us some good. However, of late, I have realised that this blog has become a place where we get to throw insults at each other, and discredit some people. It has been used to spread all sorts of propaganda and some words used by persons here are not worth reading.
ReplyDeleteTell me, what is wrong with Raila owning a Hummer? Is he not a human being, a Kenyan? Even before Raila bought his, there were 3 already in the country. Why didn't it raise so much fuss!! The comments I read recently about Raila and Luo's in general left a very bad taste in my mouth. I still can't comprehend why you accepted to publish them when you knew they were recipes of chaos and tribal hatred. Chris you have to understand that freedom is governed by law. And there is always a limit. I am a loyal reader of this blog and I have been in communication with you (Via email-away from this blog) and I am still waiting for your explanation as to why you could accept to publish those comments. I'll be writing you a mail next week and if possible, please dedicate a small section here and publish my mail in full. I will not use any abuses I promise.
Daniel
Dr. J says:
ReplyDeleteThis all boils down to electoral politics, and to a further extent it's all tribal. How many people would raise a finger if say Murungaru, or whoever bought the Humvee instead? These people are just jealous. Raila has the dough, let him drive whatever he wants. It's part of his culture to enjoy the finer things in life. In any case he has said that it's a donation from his supporters. Are the haters afraid that their candidate cannot muster such expensive support? And the issue of Presidential motorcades does not arise. What dou they say of the current sitiation? Stop hating. Find your own Humvees!
Simon Says,
ReplyDeleteCome on Daniel, Chris is doing a wonderful job here and it would be ridiculous of you to think otherwise. I think this issue of Luo's being bashed is your creation and is non existence. By the way, which tribe in kenya will be bashed a part from the Luo and the kyuks? And .......... they do it to themselves.
On R's Hummer, the only people who who should have a problem with it are the environmentalists like wangaari and the tom Dick and Harry (like you especially if its for the sole reason of environment)who sees foul play in everything R.
Whether R does it for the good or the bad reason is up to an individual to decide.
The issue of every time R's critiques equates his possession to the number of school or desks missing in his constituencies is neither here nor there. Why? It is a government policy to ensure that schools form Turkana area to magadi soda, and those from kisumu to mombasa are well taken care of and not an MPs job to ensure that every parent assumes his/her parental responsibility.
first of all...point of correction for anonymous (1) a hummer costs approximately 30 million and not 5 million.secondly, GM Kenya recently started marketing Hammers in Kenya. I have a friend who actually gave me a ride in one of them the other day...Those causing to Raila should know GM's intention is to market these cars to humans like Raila...if Raila sees a hummer will see him through the campaign without him having to incur expensive chopper costs, i think that's brilliant...He will have saved a little bit more...my 2 cents
ReplyDeleteWoe unto you mere mortals. The hour of showbiz and political brinkmanship is here with us and the faint hearted have no trace of chance. High stake politics has just began and the accessories you see are just but symptoms before the whole plague crawls out of the wood work.
ReplyDeleteChris is right to offer his 2-penny advice to Raila. In politics, as they wont to say, perception is everything. So when Raila appears to be in cloud 10 with opulence while more than 60%of Kenyans and almost 90% of his constituents go with a shaped meal, you definitely smell and see shameless insensitivity.
That said, it is no crime owing a Sh. 5M SUV. A sober reflection and observation will reveal that there are car models on Kenyan roads that would make Raila's hummer look like a wheelbarrow. But if you don't want to meet flies, don't take the very road they patronize. Raila must therefore be ready to pay the price of being a public figure, adored and hated/dreaed in equal measure.
As basic human behaviourists would say, there are trendsetters and followers. this being an election year, we hhaven't seen anything yet. Woe unto our skys and environment for they will have to bear with sustained disturbance from choppers and all forms of pollutants.
I can bet with my last breathe that 2007 elections will be like no other. Besides church, politics remain the singular growing business in Kenya where all you need is the incision below your nose and above the chin to spew balderdash for fact at the sight of a crowd. The expensive previews are sure indications of the extravaganza royale. Welcome ladies and gentlemen to Kenyan premier league of politics.
First of all the anonymous correcting anonymous 1. Ur friend gave u a ride in a Hummer costing 30 m and not 5m. That doesnt mean all Hummers cost 30m. I have a relative whose Hummer cost her 13.5 million. That is not worth debating about anyway.
ReplyDeleteAbout raila and his car,I think it is time Kenyans understood that Raila is employed by parliamentary service commission and they pay him over 800,000 in salary and allowances. On top of that he is a shrewd business person (Like all other rich men). Owning a 20 million car is like u guys owning a shs 300,000 second hand car. This stupid notion that our mps should live like paupers to show how "poor" they are should stop. There are better things to discuss and one of them should not be an individual's car. If the Nyachaes, Kabogos,Mutulas, karumes decided to put their monies in vehicles u guys will be treated to scenes u only see in hip hop clips. these are people who will have top of the range jets delivered to them by just dialling a number.
About people financing other peopl's bids,I think we have come to think that a presidential candidate has to be extremely wealthy. Nyerere was known to be a poor man. In fact the army had to build his family a house when he passed away. Mandela was not that wealthy in 1994. barrack obama and hillary clinton are not the richest americans alive. i have read a lot of crap about how some presidential candidates are too poor to run a successful campaign ( I am writing this as a response to all that shit about some people buying raila cars). First ,I can tell u guys for sure that the richest politicians like it when people consider them poor. Do not be suprised to find out that Mudavadi and Kalonzo are just as wealthy as every one else.
Kibaki has all along been an extremely wealthy man. BUT he put very little of his money into his campaigns. When u have a realisttic chance of winning an election funders will always be knocking on your door. The popular a candidate is the more moneyed their campaigns will be.You know who the popular candidares are. Just check it out.
Simon says,
ReplyDeleteWhy on earth has R gone into our brains shaking it like "shake before use". This is a bad psyche. KM receives receives 2 comments, the sloth receives none.
This isn't a very good business idea.
So there are more kenyan's with hummer's?? Kool!! Then why would R's worry us? Is it because he is the people's servant. Am sure if he eats some shit in public the same critiques will go up in arms?
ReplyDeleteThen he must be in a very bad position.
Remember when we criticised the MP's fuel gazzling toys some time ago? Trust me kenyan's have forgotten all that. How sad
Is R playing with our psyche or is he positioning? Or is it all crap???
ReplyDeletePositioning
Simply, positioning is how your target market defines you in relation to your competitors.
A good position is:
1. What makes you unique
2. This is considered a benefit by your target market
Both of these conditions are necessary for a good positioning. So what if you are the only red-haired singer who only knows how to play a G minor chord? Does your target market consider this a good thing?
Positioning is important because you are competing with all the noise out there competing for your potential fans attention. If you can stand out with a unique benefit, you have a chance at getting their attention.
It is important to understand your product from the customers point of view relative to the competition.
Environment
In order to begin positioning a product, two questions need to be answered:
1.What is our marketing environment?
2.What is our competitive advantage?
The marketing environment is the external environment. Some things to consider:
* How is the market now satisfying the need your software satisfies?
* What are the switching costs for potential users for your market?
* What are the positions of the competition?
The competitive advantage is an internal question. What do you have that gives you advantage over your competitors. Some things to consider:
* Is your company small and flexibility?
* Do you offer low cost and high quality?
* Does your product offer unique benefits?
* Are you the first on the market with this product (First mover advantage)?
Positioning Strategies
There are seven positioning strategies that can be pursued:
Product Attributes: What are the specific product attributes?
Benefits: What are the benefits to the customers?
Usage Occasions: When / how can the product be used?
Users: Identify a class of users.
Against a Competitor: Positioned directly against a competitor.
Away from a Competitor: Positioned away from competitor.
Product Classes: Compared to different classes of products.
Segmentation
There are three types of segmentation:
Mass Marketing or Undifferentiated Marketing: Go after the whole market with one offer and focus on common needs rather than differences
Product-variety Marketing or Differentiated Marketing: target several market segments and design separate offers for each
Target Marketing or Concentrated Marketing: Large share of one or a few sub-markets. Good when company’s resources are limited
To identify a niche market, a series of 2 by 2 matrixes can be used to identify an area that is being overlooked by larger competitors. The competitors are mapped on this matrix and you can see where there may be some opportunities.
Positioning Differences
The differences that are promoted for a product must be:
Important: The difference delivers a highly valued benefit to the target buyers
Distinctive: Competitors do not offer the difference, or the company can offer it in a more distinctive way
Superior: The difference is superior to other ways that the customer might obtain the same benefit
Communicable: The difference can be explained and communicated to the target buyers
Preemptive: Competitors cannot easily copy the difference
Affordable: Buyers can afford to pay the difference
Profitable: Company can introduce the difference profitably
Mutuku says:Kenyans never cease to amaze me.Raila is not a pauper - we all know that.If we were to argue on the case of priorities to constituents then no MP in Kenya should own a car.Even in Othaya constituency there are people who starve to death.This is a capitalist society(man-eat-man society).
ReplyDeleteWhat you should ask is:
what is the source of his money?Is it ill gotten wealth from public coffers?Is it inherited wealth from a corrupt parent?
I can assure you that in a few months time,Nairobi will be "littered" with not less than 50 Hummers.
Let the guy enjoy his money-after all how many Kenyans feed their dogs on bone meat as their workers go home carrying "sukuma wiki" to feed malnourished families?
But the only person laughing to the bank is the local franchise holder-he doesn't need to touch his advertising budget.
The car was hired ..simple publicity stunt that has worked ..it now has us talking about R
ReplyDeleteHey y'all...Hummer costs just a little over Ksh. 3m....thats less money. It is only that the H is rare in Kenya and if Kenya would reduce all them taxes they levy on imported vehicles, I would bring my H home....I own one but in the U.S ....so yea, I guess Imma bring mine too!
ReplyDeletethis is bullshit talk. is a car that important? grow up. everyone is claiming to own or know someone who owns. you are all windoshoppers. get busy.
ReplyDeleteLet me join the chime: In a monopolistic competition we should expect nothing but such features, Raila is a strategist and he must look different, he appears to know his mission very well, therefore give Raila a chance. Baghdad city
ReplyDeleteNo offense but Bought or borrowed, who else in Kenya flashes around Nairobi riding a Mercedes and wearing suits while their mother lives in a mud hut?...oh and then blames the "Govt" for not taking enough care of their mother!
ReplyDeleteAnyway:
Eti what is wrong with Raila owning a hummer?
Here is a simple fact check:
This member of parliament: Raila Odinga presides over the the LARGEST SLUM in AFRICA.
Kibera it is called and it is home to over 1 million people who live under the most grueling, harsh and poor conditions even for African standards of living.
40 million or 5 million KES is this a new 'Mugabe' in the making or what!?
Eti Raila is human like everybody else...and his constituents (Kibera) are what? Animals?
Only "humans" in the private sector are allowed to flash like that.
Let him leave the public "serve-the -people" sector and migrate to corporate world then he can own all the cars and planes he wants!
Wake up people! Kenya is still a developING country!
Q says...
ReplyDeleteSince Raila got a Hummer, there has been some intense animosity from the "usual quarters", some have even priced it at Ksh.40M.(USD. 570,000.00)
The truth is not even the Hummer3 costs that much,see www.hummer.com.
Supposing R had bought a chopper or Yatch like some politicians have, the same "haters" would be frothing in trying to over price it.
Majority of Kibera residents have their "home" constituencies, so let no one use that tired line "Raila Odinga presides over the the LARGEST SLUM in AFRICA" just to quench their hostilities.
http://www.carprices.com/research/make/hummer.html
ReplyDeleteAccording to this website the hummer costs far much less that what you are talking about. Even a custom made hummer cannot cost that much. I think blogging is getting over your head and are blowing this issue over the roof for no thing.
What is the furore all about with respect to Raila's Hummer? The man has been bashed for driving around in that toy to the chagrin of right thinking Kenyans like myself.
ReplyDeleteFirst, i thought Kenya is a state with capitalistic tendencies and above all we uphold in a fundamental manner the right to own property. Raila just exercised that right and got himself a hummer and of course the haters are not impressed.
By all standards, the man is not a pauper and would never have had to be a parliamentarian to make his money. You should fault his father for having left him as much to spend on cars.
Another thing is that the price of the car has been overly stated by the Kenyan Media and would never cost 40 mills. I would urge everyone to check on that and see what i mean. I live in the United States and would gladly say that even some of college mates drive Hummers to school.
As usual Raila has pulled a fast one on yo' all and so for the next few days or months you shall be transfixed on him and his car. This confirms that with Kenyans, you do not have to come up with Grand plans to have them talk about you!! Raila's latest acquisition attests to this.
Lastly, there is no connection between Kibera and the Hummer. Who's duty is it to take care of those people? Short Answer: The Government!!
Raila only represents them in Parliament and he has no obligation to sacrifice his desires for a good car just coz he is a parliamentarian. That is his money and he can do with it whatever pleases him!!
For the umpteenth time, we are engrossed in talks and discussions that will never have any kind of reflection on Kenyas GDP!!
Get me on the last point folks!!
What the heck is going on here.....i am based in Texas and i can tell you for a fact that a new Hummer will not be more than $60,000.So before you furnish us with some weak facts on how much this truck costs, please check your facts, as numbers don't lie. Those dudes claiming that they have relatives who paid ksh 40million etc for a hummer, your relas were ripped off clean.A hummer is not as pricey/prestige as many other SUV's out there, maybe you have heard of the Range Rover etc etc......DON'T HATE THE PLAYA, HATE THE GAME
ReplyDeleteWhy is everyone so into publicizing a car like ya all have never seen one! if he wanna drive a hummer let him drive one but all these guys in the media namely east standard are behaving like babies who have never seen a ride before. Railas hummer is not the first one in Kenya. Infact I know of two H2'z which are there already plus other top of the range cars. Grow up media guys!!!
ReplyDeleteRaila has is just boasting his hummer didn't costs kshs 40 million plus it was 20 million maximum. Raila is part of the nouveau riche and his proves it.
ReplyDeleteTinga's lack of sensitivity in displaying his conspicuous consumtion is lamentable when his constituency is home to Africa's worst slum and most heart breaking poverty.
Raila would have us believe that his Us friends just love him so much they bought him a hummer.
One problem with Raila's explanation is that you can't buy a right hand drive hummer in the US. The only hummer the H# that is designed for rhd markets went into production recently in South Africa and is available from Britain.
The thing with the hummer is if we believe Raila then the hummer was a bribe. Raila is already taking bribea and he is not even President yet. Raila's advance corruption is a new one even for Kenya.
The Joke is on Raila though the hummer is a terrible car. The H3 is too heavy, too slow and consumes too much gas. Apart from showing off the hummer is not good for much else.
U guys, as long as Raila did not use public funds to buy his hummer, what do we have to complain about? Secondly let me remind you that a Hummer is just as expensive as a Range Rover, and do you know how many people in Kenya own the latest R.Rover. Well on my last trip to Kenya I spoted about 6 of them, all driven by Kenyans. Why isn't anybody hating on the Range Rover dudes. Good question to answer...
ReplyDeleteEast African Standard and This blog have one thing in common, they dont confirm anything before they put it down, they blubber all they want and this hurts their reputation. Who said a hummer is 45 Million Kenya Shillings? Either you stick to truths or dont publish foolish unreliable news. A hummer h2 goes for basic $47,000 (Kshs. 3.3 million duty free), This is not a Bentley or those top very expensive rides. Just search on google before you start looking foolish in our eyes.
ReplyDelete@ annonymous
ReplyDeletePlease check your facts before you criticize for the sake of it. I have NOT said that a Hummer costs 45 million. Where have I written that?!@#
Learn how to tell the difference between my post and comments from readers. We allow free speech here and your criticism about factual comments should be directed to all the nice folks here who have commented on this issue AND NOT me.
Secondly you sound emotional. reminds me of those councillors hurling chairs at each other during a typical, regular council meeting. I feel like one chair has landed bang on my forehead with this unfair comment of yours.
I have a thick skin and I can take criticism. But not wild uninformed jabs.
Please read ny post again and I welcome you to tell me what I wrote that was NOT factual or that you do not agree with.
Having said that. I appreciate your taking the time to leave a comment here and welcome you to return in future even if it is with with more venom.
I am also trying to learn this democracy thing where I can disagree with you and still defend your right to your opinion with my life.
Kumekucha
One thing I have always hated about Ugandans is how they always talk about who has the newest ride in town, who is building the 1 million dollar mansion, or who spent the most money at a fundraising function. Now I know that a car like a hummer is quite rare in Kenya, but if you look deap inside the pockets of the rich businessmen and politicians, all of them can be able to afford a hummer.
ReplyDeleteAnd about the whole 40 million Kshs issue, that is just a big joke. A mercedes SLR McLaren doesnt even coast that much, leave alone a Bentley or a Rolce Royce Phantom. Well I just think that Raila is the Kinda gy who knows how to steal the show and keep people guessing. He would actually be a better entertainer than poltician. If you know the numbe of James Bond like stories I have heard about him in local bars around Kenya then you will definately know what I am talking about.
But people seriously, don't hate the player, hate the game. The guys is smart and he worked hard to get that ride. So let him enjoy his success. Why didn't anybody complain about Arnold Schwarzenegger. He is the first man to own a civilian humvee. Yet that issue never came up when he was campaigning to be the governor of California.
You know the problem with us Kenyans is that we are always competing with our neighbours, instead of trying to help each other. And that's why Indians own almost all the big industries in Kenya. Those dudes might be slow in the head but they help one another. But well, I am just giving my point of view, hate it or like it. Have a decisive day.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI am for Raila rolling in town in a hummer so long as its not bought from government or public funds. Him "ballin" is his prerogative. There are tons of people in kenya who can afford to by exotic super cars but don't because of questionable ways they got there wealth. In any case i my concise doesn't convict me of spending valuable resources on leasure and pleasurable goods and services.
ReplyDeleteIn any case its my hope you'll see me rolling down the block on an Ferrari Enzo one of this days and realise such a concieded basturd that i am.
The concerns about the hummer are threefold. First Raila didn't buy it with his own money he says it was a gift. For apolitician running for President this appears to be a bribe. If Raila is elected Presidentthose who gave him the hummer will come calling. Then Kenyans will pay 100 times over for that hummer. In otherwords this is corruption it is actually illegal for Raila to keep the gift by Kenyan law. It would be illegal under american or british laws designed to curb bribery of public officials.
ReplyDeleteSecond it shows Raila has poor judgement for the price the hummer is a terrible vehicle.
Third Raila is thumbing his nose at his poor constituents with his pretentious conspicuous consumption.
Raila has continued to fail his langata constituents but the sad thing is we constituents who know that he has not done anything for us cannot compete with the 800000 residents of kibera where the vote is actually decided so unless these people want a solid change since for the last 15 years that raila has been the langata MP rape insecurity spread of Aids malnutrition widespread poverty lack of sanitation lack of education sodomy and all the other problems have increased. if they really want this to change they must start looking for the real benefits of his membership to parliament. never have we had Raila fight for the rights of his constituents but he has fought for the larger public but even though that counts the people who really need his protection and representation should be the real beneficiries of his efforts. with what can we credit Raila? there are a few toilets and Bathrooms that have been built with the CDF as well as schools and the rehabilitation of some health centers. but in fifteen years that is all he can say as far as benefits/development are concerned. why has he not gone to industrial area to fight for the economic liberalization of the thousands of people who earn sh100 a day for better pay? how about being at the fore front of fighting the deadly rise of HIV/AIDS as well as the many comlications that deal with it? his attention to the well being of his constituents can actually be used to gauge how he will be when he becomes president. after all he will no longer be fighting for political liberalization. with the money he got from his supporters, he may instead of accepting a hummer have bought several buses to ferry his constituents to industrial area, started a bursary or sponsorship fund for the brilliant children living in Kibera who ahhve no money to join secondary and tertiary institutions he would have sought to build rehabilitation centers for battered women and children, drug addicts. but what did he do? He thought of himself, his comfort his pride and ego WHAT A SHAME!!!!
ReplyDeleteIf ya old man bought you a brand new sports car for your 18th birthday or for ya good grades in the KCSE exam. Would you ever think of selling it and use the money to buy more books for the school library or even give it out to charity? I strongly doubt. The first thing that will come to your mind is how many girls this new ride is gonna get you.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't matter whether the hummer was a gift. We have seen much bigger things happen in Kenya but still keep quite about them. Remember when State house was being renovated for 80 million shillings, didn't that figure look insane to you?
Remember Moi's retirement benefits, didn't that look a little bit crazy, for a man who has already accumulated so much wealth. Or the fact that the youth was given 500 million shillings to be able to start SMEs and yet all the young guys in every constituency still remain broke and jobless.
Or that the Kenyatta family have land in Kenya that sizes up with Nyanza province.
Or that the murders of many prominent politicians during the past 20 years still remain unsolved!?!
Our MPs were given 3 million shs to buy new rides at the beggining of their terms. This was absolutely rediculous but I never heard of anybody complaining about that? On top of that no Mp thought that this gesture was too extravagant, they all went ahead and bought themselves the rides they have always been dreaming about. None of them gave back the money to the people who elected them in order to develope their respective constituencies.
Seriously why do we always find a way of diverting our attention to minor issues?
Raila is just one big SHOW-OFF!! That Hummer is definitely his downfall. As Kalembe Ndile put it in parliament, if it is a donation, he should present it to the Speaker of the national assembly. PERIOD!!
ReplyDelete"And that's why Indians own almost all the big industries in Kenya. Those dudes might be slow in the head but they help one another."
ReplyDeleteYeah, 'cause they're the ones too stupid to see the downfall in campaigning for votes from poverty stricken individuals with a flashy car, oh wait.....
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ReplyDelete