President William Ruto has issued new directives on the beach boys in Mombasa and Kwale counties.
Speaking during the Private Sector Roundtable held in Nairobi on 6 August, the President stressed the need for a structured engagement between hoteliers, the government, and beach boys to prevent conflicts.
“We cannot wake up one morning and tell people to leave. We need a structured approach to this. We can also develop a proper market designated, where tourists can interact without littering,” said Ruto.
The directives were issued to Lands and Public Works Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome and Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano.
Ruto Issues Directives on Beach Boys
Ruto noted that there must be a policy explaining why beach operators are being relocated and where they are going.
In her response, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano revealed that a parcel of land in Mombasa County, acquired during the tenure of former Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala, was originally intended to host and accommodate beach boys.
However, the land was never developed, while in Kwale, the situation is more dire as there is no designated area to host beach boys, and no meaningful engagement has taken place to address the issue.
Also Read: Mombasa County Reopens All Public Beaches, Issues Warning
Bill Tabled to Regulate Beach Boys
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano confirmed that discussions are underway to manage beach operations better.
She noted that the Mombasa County Assembly has tabled the Beach Boys Management Bill, which includes a proposed code of conduct for beach operators.
“In collaboration with the private sector, Mombasa County, and the police, we are making progress. There’s also budget allocation to improve infrastructure, including lighting in beach areas during the evening,” said Miano.
President Ruto affirmed that resources are available to support the development of beach markets and reiterated the government’s commitment to formalizing and integrating informal tourism actors into the broader economic framework.
Also Read: Prestigious Beach Estates Where Wealthy Kenyans are Splashing Millions
Who Are the Beach Boys?
Commonly found along Kenya’s coastal beaches, beach boys are local men who make a living by offering informal tourism-related services.
They often approach visitors with offers ranging from boat rides and snorkeling adventures to guided tours, dolphin watching, and handmade souvenirs.
Though not formally recognized within the mainstream tourism industry, many beach boys possess in-depth knowledge of the region’s culture, environment, and attractions, serving as grassroots ambassadors of Kenya’s coastal tourism experience.
The informal nature of their work means they rely heavily on direct interactions with tourists to make a living.
Many beach boys, in addition to speaking English and Swahili, the local language, speak fluent German and Italian, learned from years of dealing with tourists.
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