Parents Association National Chairman Silas David Obuhatsa has urged Kenyans to embrace mediation to prevent political differences from dividing families and communities ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
Obuhatsa warned that inflammatory political rhetoric, unresolved family disputes and hostility among supporters could threaten national unity and expose children to unnecessary conflict.
Speaking during the East Africa Mediators Conference at Reef Hotel, he called on political leaders and their supporters to compete peacefully without turning disagreements into personal battles.
“No election should cost Kenya the peace, unity and future of its children. No political disagreement should be allowed to destroy a family or turn neighbours into enemies,” he said.
He described mediation as an important tool for rebuilding trust, resolving disputes and preventing disagreements from escalating into violence.
The NPA chairman noted that conflicts between parents, often arising from financial pressures, mistrust and communication breakdowns, could negatively affect children's emotional wellbeing and academic performance.
He urged parents to seek help early, adding that mediation could improve communication, preserve relationships where possible and help separated parents maintain constructive co-parenting arrangements.
Obuhatsa also called on schools to strengthen conflict-resolution mechanisms to address disagreements involving teachers, parents, learners and school administrators.
He said disputes over discipline, academic performance and school policies should be handled through dialogue and mutual understanding to protect the learning environment.
However, he cautioned that mediation should not replace safeguarding measures or legal intervention in cases involving abuse, serious violence or intimidation.
On the 2027 elections, Obuhatsa urged political leaders to focus on policies, development agendas and service delivery instead of rhetoric that could fuel hatred and division.
He further called on young people to reject political manipulation and violence, while encouraging parents and teachers to shield learners from partisan confrontations.
The chairman clarified that mediation should complement, not replace, constitutional and legal mechanisms for resolving electoral disputes.
He also urged community leaders, religious institutions, professional mediators and local administrators to promote dialogue and address grievances before they escalate.
Obuhatsa said building a peaceful Kenya required collective responsibility, with families, schools and communities working together to nurture tolerance and respect for differing opinions.
He maintained that the 2027 elections should strengthen democracy rather than damage relationships among Kenyans, noting that citizens would remain neighbours and relatives long after campaigns ended.
He called on Kenyans to prioritise peaceful coexistence and protect children's welfare, saying dialogue and mediation were essential to building a united nation.
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