Palm or coconut juice, commonly known as 'maji ya madafu' in Kiswahili, is popular along the coastal beaches.
Despite the palm tree growing within the region, locals do not seem to appreciate the benefits of madafu.
Coconut juice or water is a clear liquid inside a young coconut of about six months.
The juice is totally different from the coconut brew referred to as mnazi or the coconut milk from grated matured coconut meat.
The madafu are often green and contain water with a white pulp that can be scooped by a spoon.
However, both local and international tourists seem not to be getting enough coconut fruit and maji ya madafu.
At Kongo beach in Kwale county, Faith Nyambura from Juja and her colleague Amanda Mutiso have come for the refreshing madafu juice.
"The madafu gives you the real feeling of being at the Coast because they are so tasty and refreshing," they said.
According to them, without having madafu, one should not brag that they have been at the Coast.
The coconut juice has a slight sweetness, nutty and somewhat salty.
Nyambura said the fruits have a unique taste that cannot be compared to any other beverage.
The holidayer said the juice is also natural and harmless to the body.
"Anything natural is good for health, it doesn't contain chemicals added in most of the beverages we buy around," she said.
Samburu Subcounty Hospital nutritionist Ali Hassan says coconut water contains electrolytes, vitamins and minerals.
He said the water is good for detoxifying kidneys, lowering blood pressure and improving heart health and energy levels.
Nyambura said after water, the madafu juice comes second because it helps keep one hydrated for a long time.
She said the feeling of tasting coconut water is mind-blowing and keeps her relaxed.
"That feeling I get when the wind blows towards my face as I take a sip of coconut juice is amazing. It relieves stress," she said.
Mutiso said she doesn't get bored taking coconut water daily.
She said it is cheap and easily affordable compared to modern beverages.
Her colleague Mutiso said a glass of coconut juice is enough to replenish your body for some hours, unlike other beverages that only last for a few minutes.
"So far, I have had two madafu, and it feels like I have eaten the whole day here at the beach," she said.
Mutiso said she just had two of them at Sh160, cheaper than other soft drinks that retail at more than Sh200.
However, madafu seller Hassan Bakari said the fruit's price has gone up due to the effects of climate change, which have created a shortage.
He said many coconut trees are dying and others have stopped reproducing because of drought and old age.
Bakari said in a good season, the fruit is sold at Sh1,000-Sh1,500 to international tourists, while locals buy it at Sh200-Sh500 at the beach.
But during the low season, they are forced to reduce the prices or depend on the customer's pocket.
"This is my full-time job. In the evening, I am expected to put food on the table," Bakari said.
"So, if a client complains a lot, I have no option but to lower the price because I badly need the money."
He said they end up recording losses because they sometimes have to buy coconut fruits from other areas in villages.
Bakari said most customers are from upcountry and foreign states.
He said only a few locals buy the madafu and at low prices, which doesn’t benefit the sellers.
