New security guidelines at the Likoni Ferry have sparked outrage among Mombasa residents and Human Rights activists.
The activists say the Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) new rules seem to favour foreign tourists while discriminating Kenyans.
According to the new rules, local residents and domestic tourists will be subjected to checks before boarding ferries.
However, foreign tourists are not expected to step out of their vans for inspection.
According to the Standard, the move is aimed at speeding up movement of foreign tourists between the mainland and South Coast.
Julius Ogogoh, an official with the Commission for Justice and Human Rights, said racial profiling on ferries has been going on for some time.
“The issue is as old as the Kenya tourism sector. It is high time we stop burying our heads in the sand and accept that discrimination against locals in the tourism sector is real,” said Ogogoh, as quoted by the Standard.