COAST leaders yesterday differed in public on whether President Uhuru Kenyatta should withdraw the Kenya Defence Forces from Somalia.
Rabai MP William Kamoti and nominated senator Emma Mbura rooted for a pullout.
However, former Chief of General of Staff Joseph Kibwana said the army should remain in Somalia to avenge the fatal January 15 ambush in El Adde and restore peace.
The leaders clashed while addressing hundreds of mourners during the burial of Shaban Saburi, 27, in Kajiwe, Kilifi county and Wilson Keah Chibogo in Mpirani, Kwale county.
Kibwana said it is in the military spirit to ensure al Shabaab pays for every drop of blood shed by Kenyan soldiers in Somalia at whatever cost.
"This is an act that should not go un-avenged," the retired CGS said.
Kamoti said Uhuru should the KDF should train Somali forces and let them keep their peace.
"The US marines withdrew from Somalia after some were killed in the early 1990s, so who are we to prolong our stay there?" he said.
Mbura said she would move a motion to seek clarification on whether KDF is at war in Somalia or on a peace-keeping mission.
"If we are at war, then we need to be well equipped for the battle or we withdraw
from there," she said.
"Our bishops tell us that Somalia is a cursed nation that can never and will never enjoy peace. They can only restore peace on their own."