If Raila Odinga's muscular Land Cruiser V8 had a mouth to speak then it would tell a tear-jerking tale of pain and joy, high and lows.

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It would doubtless be a tale for the history books as the guzzler has been there when the veteran opposition leader has been at the centre of monumental events that have shaped the trajectory of Kenya's recent history.

What's more, the burly machine has ventured into dangerous grounds, taking the bullet and choking in tear-gas in the service its high-profile owner.

To put it bluntly, Raila Odinga has pushed the V8 to the limits of its performance.

Even so, it has never disappointed, digging into its reservoirs of energy whenever the need arose.

The relationship between the former Prime Minister and the Land Cruiser V8 goes a long way back.

In 2014 when he returned to the country after a couple of months in the U.S, he made his way to the iconic Uhuru Park Grounds in a snow-white Land Cruiser V8 as the powerful speakers blared Bob Marley's 'Fugitive'.

During the clamour for the removal of the embattled IEBC commissioners, it is the V8 that took him to the CBD where it was met with bullets and tear-gas canisters, forcing guards to throw a shield around.

While he has flirted with other models like the Hammer and the Range Rover, the Land Cruiser V8 appears to have won his heart.

While he has never explained why he loves the Land Cruiser V8, the off-road capabilities of the machine could explain his long flirtation with the machine.

Important to note is that the Japanese automaker that assembles the V8 redesigns the body of the vehicle after some time in a bid to stay at the top of the automotive market characterised by cut-throat competition.

Raila now owns the latest version of the V8 that has undergone some changes in terms of styling.

The latest version is more muscular, has a bold grille and a furrowed bonnet as part of its detailed aerodynamic profile.

Here are some of the jaw-dropping specifications of the high-end car:

1. It has a 5.7-litre V8 engine.

2. Has a digital camera inside to ensure that the driver is visually informed.

3. The seats are upholstered in leather.

4. It can tow up to 4 tons, a testament to its power.

5. Has a horsepower of up to 381

He made his way into the Mathare slums after the disputed August 8 presidential election where he was greeted with thousands of residents.

In spite of the rough terrain there, the V8 measured up well, impeccably rising up to the challenge with spades of power.

When Raila went to Harambee House to shake hands with his arch-nemesis Uhuru Kenyatta, he moved in his latest version of the Land Cruiser V8.

Thanks to that dramatic handshake that brought the temperatures down, his latest V8 can now sigh in relief, rest assured that it will not have to venture into dangerous grounds riddled with bullets and tear-canisters.

Given the unpredictable nature of the enigma, it would be difficult to estimate how long the Odinga-Land Cruiser V8 relationship will last but we can safely say that it will not be ending soon.