Garissa — In an effort to tighten security and increase county revenue ahead of the peak tourism season in August, Kenya's Kwale County is banning vendors from local beaches.

"The traders fill the beach and in most cases outnumber local and foreign tourists," Governor Salim Mvurya told Sabahi. "They create unnecessary congestion, which is an environment conducive to criminal activities."

Vendors are a common sight during the tourist season. They hawk everything from souvenirs to fruits, garments, and camel riding gear, as well as provide services such as massages.

"With the elevated security threat from al-Shabaab, we are not leaving anything to chance because terrorists may pose as traders," Mvurya said.

On August 1st, vendors will be restricted to newly designated areas off the beach or face prosecution. The ban also affects guides commonly known as "beach boys" and homeless people who beg for alms, Mvurya said.

Vendors currently do not pay fees to operate on the beach, but the county hopes to generate some money for its coffers by requiring each vendor to pay a 10,000 shillings ($114.56) fee to register to sell goods and services, Mvurya said. This requirement also will allow the government to count and track the number of vendors and take that into account for future planning.

"Most tourists are coming to enjoy the breath-taking scenery and to relax on our beaches, but we have established that some locals pester the visitors," Mvurya said. "We want the economy of the county to grow, but in an orderly way."

Sam Ikwaye, chairperson of the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers South Coast, said vending on beaches has a negative impact on tourism.

"Visitors who come here want an environment conducive to relaxing, but they encounter chaos along the beach," he told Sabahi. "The vetting will help to identify genuine traders. It is good the county government is committed to restoring sanity on the beaches."

Mombasa and Lamu counties are considering similar bans on their popular beaches, he said.

Ban worries vendors

Beachside vendors who spoke with Sabahi expressed misgivings about the move to restrict their activities.

Harrison Tunje, 29, who has sold stone and wood carvings along the beach for five years, said he is worried that the new policy would hurt his business.

"Our business is mainly seasonal," he told Sabahi. "In other months, business is slow. August offers most of us an opportunity to make good money, but it appears things will be different."

Vendors will no longer have the same access to tourists since many of them arrive by boat, Tunje said, adding that the one-week's notice to re-locate was insufficient.

"We know there are others who pose as traders to peddle drugs," he said. "If the county government is ready to work with us, we will help flush out suspicious people among us."

The newly designated areas for vendors are far from the beach and the plan does not necessarily have tourists' interests in mind, said Chuma Karisa, a 25-year-old beach tour guide.

"We suspect this drastic move has been orchestrated by hotel owners who want to control everything," he said, adding that hotels often sell souvenirs or hire their own tour guides as a way to beat the competition.

Hundreds of vendors are planning a demonstration on Wednesday (July 31st), a day before the relocation order takes effect, in hopes to convince the government to rescind the directive, Karisa told Sabahi. He said most beach vendors do not oppose the registration initiative but feel the relocation will kill their business.