Referee of a Dirty Ugly Game: In the Theatre of Kenya's Elections: An insider's Account book by Ahmed Issack Hassan

Ahmed Issack Hassan’s memoirs, Referee of a Dirty, Ugly Game, the former chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (2011-2016) tells of tense moments in Kenya’s first polls under new laws in 2013, including what appeared to be a cyberattack on the system relaying presidential election results, pressure from Raila Odinga’s camp and frantic phone calls from William Ruto — Uhuru Kenyatta’s running mate

Voters around the country turned out in large numbers in the 2013 elections, with a record high of 86 per cent, which had never been witnessed before in Kenya. It was indeed a historic election.

It was the first general election after the promulgation of the new Constitution (in 2010) and the first time we were having new elective positions. Kenyans were also optimistic after the commission introduced changes, particularly in technology, that things would be much better this time around.