Non-governmental organizations operating in northern Kenya have raised concern over heightened tribal hostilities in Isiolo and Moyale and urged the government to intervene and avoid the tensions spilling over into electioneering period. Peacenet Foundation Trust led more than 10 civil society organizations in petitioning the government to act and avoid further killings.

The organisations said more than 50 people had died and 3,000 families had been displaced in the last six months. National Peace-net chairman, Michael Murago, and Upper Eastern chairman Hussein Mursal attributed the conflict to vested competing political interests. "Communities are regrouping to capture seats created by the constitution in the new system of governance" said Mursal.

He explained that politicians were taking advantage of the deep-seated suspicions among feuding communities to fuel the violence involving Turkana, Borana and Somali communities. "The conflict was no longer caused by fight over resources but has been turned into a political contest," Mursal said.