Women aspirants in Samburu yesterday pledged to tackle cattle rustling and banditry if elected next Monday.

Waso ward representative candidate Rebecca Lolosoli, who led other women aspirants, said it will be a shame if women in the region fail to back one of their own despite their having a clear manifesto to tackle insecurity and conflicts.

Lolosoli urged women to embrace peace and unity and vote as a bloc to secure leadership positions. She was speaking at Archers Post during an event organised by Association of Media Women in Kenya.

Lolosoli said she has helped raise schoolfees for vulnerable and poor children to keep them from dropping out of school. She said a vote for women will encourage pastoral girls to be role models in their society.

The women aspirants pledged to push for development and ensure that morans abandon their way of life to pursue income-generating activities through smallscale businesses and other ventures.

Amwik officials who were led by Joyce Nyaruai called upon the communities to embrace peace and unity during and after next Monday elections.

Nyaruai said women play a critical role in development so they should be entrusted with leadership positions to address problems affecting the communities.