With over a million visitors flocking the country every year and a large percentage of them making their way to Mombasa it is safe to say Mombasa is a tourist hub. It is home to a major port that serves Kenya and the larger East Africa region. In addition to this it is home to a thriving economy, the beach boy’s economy, an economy fueled by dozens of weekly flights from Europe.

Thousands of female tourists, most of whom are in their 60’s visit Kenya yearly for more than the usual sea, sun and sand. They come to have some fun with young sporting dreadlocked beach boys dressed in fitting shirts that reveal their athletic bodies.

Many young Coastal boys are lured to the beach after completing their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education, enticed by exciting stories about life at the beach. With time going to the beach becomes a norm and they report to “work” i.e. the beach every day to make a living.

Hamisi

Hamisi* a beach boy from the South Coast tells me his story:

“It’s a job like no other, we report to work every day and earn a living from this beach. When I spot a white woman I walk up to them and ask if she needs a guide, or a bout ride, or if she needs more, they know what we mean when we say that. There those who are not interested in us. So they rudely brush us away but there those who are here for more than the beach, there are after us, young black men. These are our clients.”

He pauses for thought, then continues.

“I mainly start off as a guide to potential clients, taking them on jet skiing or boat rides. It’s through this that I develop a rapport with them. They always fall for it and soon we dine together in expensive restaurants, go for outings and at the end their trip they always leave me some cash.”

Hamisi notes that the amount they are given varies depending on the generosity of the client, but they can make up to KES 70,000 from a client.

The business is very competitive hence any edge is held to for dear life. This is why Hamisi fluently speaks English, French and German, having learnt these languages via years of association with tourists. A perfect command of European language is one of the several advantages he says he has.

Local Meat

Beach boys get arrested frequently by the tourist police during swoops at the beach and spend a couple of days behind bars but are later released and return to the beach to make a living.

“I have been arrested twice and each time my mother comes to bail me out, but here’s where I make a living thus you will always find me here looking for elusive while tourists.”

Numbers

Statistics from the Ministry of tourism show that the Kenya is recording an increase in the number of tourists coming into the county. As of 31^st December 2010, 1,095,945 tourists had visited the country, reflecting a 15% increase from 952,481 per cent in 2009. These figures exclude the cross border tourists arrivals which could add up to another  700,000. What this means is, an increase in tourst influx into the country translates into an increase in potential clients for local beach boys, subsequently translating in increase in revenue from the trade.

It even gets better when you think of the vision 2030 blue print. Kenya has a target of 2 million international tourists by the end of 2012.

As of March 2011, 1,400 beach boys were registered by the Mombasa Coast and Tourist Association, while about 300 remain unregistered.