By Eddah Waithaka
Women in Alternative Dispute Resolution (WADR) today called on Kenyans to embrace dialogue and mediation over adversarial conflict resolution, warning that escalating disputes threaten the nation’s stability and economic growth.
With Kenya at a critical crossroads, political, social, and economic tensions risk undermining years of progress in governance, business, and the rule of law.
WADR, alongside legal experts, business leaders, and civil society representatives, urged a nationwide shift toward Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), including mediation, conciliation, and arbitration to prevent disputes from spiraling into destructive conflicts.
Why Peaceful Resolution Matters
“When society chooses hostility over dialogue, everyone loses businesses suffer, institutions weaken, and public trust erodes,” said a WADR spokesperson.
“But when we resolve differences amicably, Kenya grows stronger.” ADR offers a faster, more cost-effective way to settle disputes while preserving relationships.
It also reduces court backlogs, ensuring justice remains accessible. In a time of economic strain and political realignment, Kenya cannot afford prolonged conflicts that deter investment and destabilize communities.
Private Sector Demands Stability
The business community emphasized the need for a predictable, rules-based environment.
Investors and entrepreneurs urged stronger pre-litigation mediation frameworks and dispute-resolution clauses in contracts to avoid costly legal battles.
“Kenya must position itself as a hub for peace and justice,” said a representative from the Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration (NCIA).
“How we handle conflict defines our future.”
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WADR and its partners urge Kenyans to prioritize dialogue by seeking mediation before litigation, reject incitement by avoiding inflammatory rhetoric that fuels division, support community peacebuilding to strengthen local mediation efforts, and hold leaders accountable by demanding constructive engagement at all levels.
“Conflict resolution should come through wisdom, not war; understanding, not upheaval,” the WADR statement concluded.
“Kenya’s future depends on it.” As tensions rise across sectors, the push for peaceful dispute resolution has never been more urgent.
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