Dialogue use and Land Conflict Resolution in Kajiado East Sub-County, Kenya

Land conflicts in Kenya involve competing claims over ownership, boundaries, access, inheritance, land use and historical grievances. Dialogue is widely used within formal and community-based dispute-resolution processes, yet empirical evidence on how its distinct dimensions relate to perceived land conflict resolution remains limited in specific local contexts. This study examined negotiation, mediation, stakeholder participation and consensus-building dialogue in Kajiado East Sub-County and considered the implications of the findings for community peace education and participatory conflict transformation. The study used a convergent parallel mixed-methods approach within a correlational, cross-sectional design. The quantitative analysis was based on 142 usable questionnaires, supplemented by 43 key-informant interviews. Pearson correlation analysis indicated statistically significant positive associations between negotiation, mediation, stakeholder participation, consensus-building and perceived land conflict resolution. The multiple regression model explained 55.1% of the variation in perceived land conflict resolution, with stakeholder participation recording the largest standardized regression coefficient (β = .426, p < .001). Qualitative findings provided contextual insights into the role of dialogue in land conflict resolution. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson product–moment correlations and multiple linear regression. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically and integrated with the quantitative strand during interpretation. Instrument reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. All four dialogue dimensions showed positive and statistically significant associations with land conflict resolution: negotiation (r = .684, p < .001), mediation (r = .712, p < .001), stakeholder participation (r = .735, p < .001), and consensus-building dialogue (r = .758, p < .001). The four predictors jointly explained 55.1% of the variance in land conflict resolution (R² = .551; F(4,137) = 56.18, p < .001). Stakeholder participation had the largest unique standardized coefficient (β = .426, p < .001). Qualitative findings converged with the quantitative results and highlighted trust, impartiality, reliable land information, institutional coordination, inclusive participation and implementation of agreements as important conditions shaping dialogue processes. Dialogue use was positively associated with perceived land conflict resolution in Kajiado East. The results suggest that meaningful participation, supported by credible institutions and informed facilitation, is especially important. For education, the findings support community peace-education approaches that develop dialogue, listening, negotiation, civic participation, consensus-building and collaborative problem-solving capacities. Because the design was cross-sectional and correlational, these relationships should not be interpreted as proof that dialogue dimensions cause resolution outcomes.

dialogue; land conflict; negotiation; mediation; stakeholder participation

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