President William Ruto has directed key government ministries to develop a structured plan to manage and integrate beach boys into the coastal tourism industry, especially in Mombasa and Kwale counties.

Speaking during the Private Sector Roundtable in Nairobi on August 6, President Ruto emphasized the need for collaboration between the government, hoteliers, and beach operators to avoid random evictions and conflict. He called for designated areas where beach boys can operate in a clean and organized environment.

“We cannot just wake up and tell people to leave. There must be structure and designated markets where tourists and beach operators can interact without disrupting order,” Ruto said.

He tasked Lands and Public Works CS Alice Wahome and Tourism CS Rebecca Miano with implementing the directive.

In response, CS Miano noted that a parcel of land in Mombasa acquired under former CS Najib Balala was initially intended to accommodate beach boys but was never developed. In Kwale, the situation is more critical, with no designated space or engagement framework in place.

Miano said consultations are ongoing, and the Mombasa County Assembly has already tabled the Beach Boys Management Bill, which proposes a code of conduct to professionalize beach operations.

She also revealed that the government has allocated resources for infrastructure upgrades, including lighting along the beaches, to enhance security and support evening tourism.

President Ruto reaffirmed the government's readiness to invest in developing formal beach markets and reiterated his administration’s commitment to integrating informal tourism players into the national economic system.

Beach boys, often found along Kenya’s coast, offer informal services like boat rides, cultural tours, and handcrafted souvenirs. Though outside the formal tourism framework, many are multilingual and deeply knowledgeable about the region, playing a vital but overlooked role in promoting local tourism.