LODWAR, Kenya, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Kenyan government said on Tuesday it is not ready to disarm the pastoral communities on the border with Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda.

    Labor Minister John Munyes immediately elicited criticism from Uganda which is pressing the country to retrieve firearms from warriors to eradicate cattle raids and bandit attacks.

    "Yes our people have guns but there are little or no conflicts compared to our neighbors, the Karimojong, who are killing themselves," Munyes told a group of pastoralists at the Kenyan town of Lokiriama in Loima district.

    The Turkana North legislator said it is a misrepresentation of facts for anybody to claim that his government has started disarmament or has plans to do so.

    The minister said Kenya would carry out disarmament only if Sudan and Ethiopia do so.

    "How do you expect us to disarm our people when our neighbors, the Merrile from Ethiopia struck in a broad-day to execute a ritual killing? We require a regional approach to remove guns from the affected communities which will be compelled with intensive community policing," Munyes noted.

    He said they will disarm selectively and some guns would remain to protect people and their property.

    Munyes was presiding over a ceremony commemorating the 1973 peace accord signed between the Matheniko and Turkana tribes. The event was attended by delegates from Ny'angatom of Ethiopia, Jie and Matheniko leaders from Uganda.

    On the peace accord, Munyes commended the Turkana and Mathenikofor abiding by the agreement by not raiding each other.

    "For the past years, we have not had serious conflicts among these two families," he said, adding that Kenya is in advanced stages of providing water to the pastoralists so that they can stop roaming.

    The Resident District Commissioner of Moroto, Nahaman Ojwee, said Uganda would continue with its disarmament exercise "because we realize it is beneficial to our region".

    Ojwee said Karamoja has lagged behind for too long and the region could only achieve peace through disarmament and criticized Kenya for not willing to disarm its armed groups.

    Uganda People Defense Force (UPDF) third Division commander, Brig. Patrick Kankiriho, pressed Kenya to follow Uganda's example and regulate the number of arms in the hands of civilians.

    "In Uganda, we resolved that all guns must be owned by organized, trained groups under command. I suggest that Kenya follows suit," he said.

    He noted that the Kenyan Pokot are taking advantage of the disarmament exercise in Uganda to raid the Karimojong and Sabiny, who live in the border districts.

    "Kenya may see no point in disarming the Pokot in the short run. But with time, these warriors will turn against their government," Kankiriho warned

    Ugandan in 2004 launched the disarmament program in Karamoja, aimed at reducing cattle rustling and paving way for development in the region.

    The UPDF has so far recovered 27,000 guns.