NAIROBI, Kenya – The government is planning to privatize a number of beaches and islands along Kenya’s coastline in a bid to attract high-end tourism investments under a new national tourism strategy.
According to the draft Kenya National Tourism Strategy (2025–2030), the Ministry of Tourism has identified five beaches and four islands earmarked for private ownership, concessions, or long-term leasing to investors.
The move is part of a wider plan to “re-engineer Kenya’s tourism product development” and reposition the country as a premium global destination.
“There is an urgent need to recalibrate Kenya’s tourism model to attract a new class of investors and tourists,” reads part of the draft strategy.
Under the proposal, the Ministry intends to classify beaches into four categories — premium/exclusive, family and leisure, ecotourism and cultural, and adventure and sports — each tailored to a specific tourism market.
High-End Private Beaches
Beaches under the premium/exclusive category — including Vipingo Beach in Kilifi, Tiwi and Msambweni beaches in Kwale, and Kuruwitu Beach in Kilifi — will target high-net-worth visitors.
These will feature private villas, boutique resorts, golf courses, airstrips, and luxury marine access points, with strict zoning and management rules to ensure “privacy, security, and exclusivity.”
Family, Ecotourism, and Adventure Categories
Other beaches such as Diani, Nyali, Bamburi, and Watamu will remain open to the public, classified as family and leisure zones offering amenities for recreation and group tourism.
Meanwhile, Shimoni Beach, Shela, Kipungani, Kiwayu, and Takaungu will be branded as ecotourism beaches due to their cultural and historical value.
Beaches like Watamu, Malindi, Gazi, Nyali, and Bamburi will fall under the adventure and sports category, leveraging their established water sports infrastructure and marine parks.
Four Islands Up for Private Leasing
The plan also identifies Chale and Funzi Islands in Kwale, and Kiwayu and Manda Toto Islands in Lamu for privatization under long-term leasing models aimed at luxury developments.
Additionally, Takaungu and Vipingo beaches in Kilifi, Msambweni in Kwale, and Kipungani and Matondoni in Lamu have been listed among areas to be opened up for private investment.
Infrastructure Boost to Support Tourism
To support the strategy, the Ministry has proposed major infrastructure upgrades, including:
- Elevating Malindi Airport to international status,
- Opening Moi International Airport (Mombasa) to more direct international flights,
- Expanding Ukunda and Lamu airstrips to handle regional jets, and
- Improving road networks and signage linking coastal beaches to inland tourism circuits.
The Ministry says these efforts will help Kenya stay competitive in the global tourism market by unlocking new investment frontiers and promoting sustainable economic growth.
“The aim is to encourage the development of high-end facilities such as luxury beach clubs and boutique hotels, private marine access points, and helipads,” the draft states.
If adopted, the plan could mark one of the most significant shifts in Kenya’s tourism development policy in recent years, though it is likely to spark debate over the balance between privatization and public access to coastal resources.
