THE VALUE OF CONFLICT AND CONSENSUS IN DEVELOPMENT: The Kenyan Model

By Prof. Dr. Halimu Shauri

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Conflict to us sociologists has a function, both positive and negative.

To many people and professions, conflict is considered to be bad and unwanted. This is because they look at conflict from the negative sense, which normally is destructive.

Sociologists on the other hand, consider conflict as important and actually as one of the five key modes of social interactions. The others are cooperation, competition, exchange and accommodation.

Collectively, the five modes of social interaction define sociology as a study of social interaction.

Be it as it may, conflict and so is consensus all the time in the eyes of sociologists are bad when they are consistent. Accordingly, I can confidently say:

[Conflict all the time is bad, destructive and anti-development].

And in the same vain:

[Consensus all the time is bad, destructive and anti-development]

The reason being that conflict does not provide a window for dialogue to dissect the gist or core cause of the conflict nor does consensus provide a window for dissenting views. It’s only when we know the cause of the conflict and dissenting views in situations of consensus that we can intervene.

Accordingly, in any situation of conflict, there must be a window for dialogue. it’s through dialogue that consensus can be reached.

Thus, where conflict places us on the same table to dialogue and arrive at a consensus on the cause of the conflict and how to mitigate it, and where consensus accommodates dissent, then we are on the right track to move forward as one.

What happened in Nairobi recently, pitting County 047 or Nairobi County against Kenya Power Limited Company [KPLC] that lead to a display of mighty, waste disposal at the door step of KPLC and KPLC disconnecting power to key County institutions was a protracted conflict. In fact, it had culminated into waste and power disconnection violence respectively.

Kenya is not new to conflicts, especially in the political arena. During the reign of Presidents’ Moi, Kibaki, Uhuru and now Ruto, there have been political conflicts.

Dialogue has ensured a peaceful and stable country all the time. From handshakes, coalitions to broad based government at the moment, we have being working on consensus building. This signifies that:

[Conflict – DIALOGUE – THEN – Consensus is a powerful model for Kenya’s peace and stability]

As we approach the next general elections, this model will be useful given the way the country is split to avoid the negative side of conflict. because,

[Where there is conflict always, there is retrogression and so is where there is consensus always…Conflict- Dialogue and Consensus are the seeds for positive change].

In conclusion, conflict and Consensus always are bad. The best case scenario for development is a mix, conflict then consensus. This way we build and not break bridges of social change.

By Prof. Dr. Halimu Shauri

Dean and Consultant Sociologist

PWANI University