All about posh hearses that Rita Tinina rode to her finally resting place
On Wednesday, just a day before celebrating what would have been her 46th birthday, TV journalist Rita Tinina was transported home for burial following her sudden demise.
Family, friends, colleagues in the media, and politicians convened at the Yiapans’ family Noosupeni Farm in Olokirikirai, Narok County, to bid Rita farewell.
Her requiem mass had been held two days earlier at the Holy Family Basilica before her remains were transported to Nakuru County. From Nakuru, the cortege left for Narok where she was finally laid to rest.
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For the first leg of the journey, as Rita’s girls’ club, Strong Pillars, had promised, she was taken home in a Range Rover hearse. This promise stemmed from prior plans the club had of going on a road trip in a Range Rover but in light of her death, the final ‘road trip’ would still be in a Range Rover.
The tag price of the Gull Wing black Range Rover limousine ranges between Sh18 million and Sh20 million. It comes with upgraded suspension systems, leather seats, upgraded air conditioning insulation in roof, side panels and floor and rust inhibitors applied to the underbody.
It also comes with an emergency reserve starting battery, illuminated vanity mirrors with burn guard protector, 2200 Power distribution system with warranty, 510hp 5.0L DOHC 32 valve intercooled supercharger V-8 engine with variable valve control, an 8 speed automatic transmission with overdrive, CommandShift sequential sport shift, driver mode select and a Combined Fuel Economy of 16mpg.
Read: Zubeida Kananu recalls her final assignment with Rita Tinina
At one point of the journey from Nakuru to Narok, the Range Rover hearse broke down and Rita’s casket was transferred to another hearse.
Rita travelled the last leg to her final resting place in a Mercedes Benz Vito Panel Van that costs Sh5,466,659.
The sleek hearse captured the attention of television viewers and pedestrians as it snaked its way in a procession towards Rita’s home.
According to Mercedes Benz, the Vito Panel Van is the medium van of choice. It comes with 2x vehicle lengths, a maximum 910 kilograms payload and a 6.6 meters cubed load compartment capacity. The van also has a 190 horsepower output.
“With its generous loading capacity and instantly recognizable styling, the Vito Panel Van offers the superior functionality and aesthetics that are synonymous with Mercedes-Benz. Famed for its versatility and reliability, the Vito Panel Van has long been the medium sized van of choice, and its availability in two different trim lines and two lengths means there’s a configuration perfect for your business’ needs,” is how Mercedes Benz describes the van.
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The version of the van that was used to ferry Rita home is the Vito Panel Select that has body colored bumpers, chromed radiator grille, metallic paint, 17″ alloy wheels (5 twin-spoke), Multibeam LED with high beam assist PLUS, electrically folding wing mirrors, exit lamps and parking package with reversing camera.
The van also has electrically operated sliding doors and double-wing rear-end door, opening 180 degrees, no window.
Additionally, the van has a wireless charging system for mobile devices, pre-installed Remote Services Plus, pre-installed Live Traffic Information and a permanently installed Communication Module (LTE) for digital cameras.
The Van comes in Long and Extra Long sizes in three models: 114 Van Prop L2, 116 Van SELECT L2 and 119 Van SELECT L2.