Women leaders push for peace and dialogue as unrest, global index raise red flags for Kenya

As Kenya continues to grapple with political unrest and economic uncertainty, the Women in Alternative Dispute Resolution (WADR) is urging the country to embrace peaceful approaches to conflict resolution.

Speaking during a press briefing in Nairobi, WADR leaders, supported by global peace experts, warned that ongoing tensions risk reversing hard-won progress in governance, entrepreneurship, innovation, and the rule of law.

“When society chooses hostility and violence over constructive dialogue, we all lose,” said Eunice Lumallas, Chairperson of WADR and an experienced dispute resolution practitioner.

“But when we sit down to reason and resolve our differences, we all rise and stand to gain more than we lose.”

The call for peace comes on the heels of new data from the Global Peace Index 2025, presented by Dr. Dan Noel Odaba, the Director for Eastern and Southern Africa at the Institute for Economics and Peace. According to the report, Kenya has slipped one position to rank 127 out of 163 countries globally, with civil unrest and recurring demonstrations cited as contributing factors.

“Our country needs to invest in fostering peace through eight interconnected pillars of peace-building,” said Dr. Odaba. “This includes building attitudes, institutions, and systems that promote and sustain peaceful societies.”

WADR is calling for a national shift in mindset towards non-adversarial methods of resolving disputes. The group emphasizes the need for dialogue, mediation, conciliation, and reconciliation over confrontational or violent tactics.

“These alternative approaches protect relationships, preserve commercial interests, and improve access to justice,” said Lumallas. “ADR is not just for lawyers, we include ex-military officers, community leaders, and business professionals. Peace-building is everyone’s responsibility.”

The group raised alarm over the economic cost of prolonged conflict, stressing that businesses need stable, predictable environments governed by clear rules in order to thrive. Entrepreneurs and professionals are increasingly advocating for platforms that support pre-litigation dialogue, enforceable contractual dispute resolution clauses, and enhanced community mediation mechanisms.

“This is more than just a legal or policy issue,” said dispute resolution expert Phyllis Wangwe. “It is a moral obligation and national duty. Kenya must position itself as a regional leader in peace and justice.”

WADR urged the public to take personal initiative by avoiding inflammatory speech, consulting professional mediators when conflicts arise, and encouraging the use of peaceful dispute resolution practices.

They emphasized that these efforts will help maintain Kenya’s reputation as a credible international destination for arbitration and dispute resolution.