Drones are also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS). Any person who wishes to import, own or operate an RPAS in Kenya shall apply to Kenya Civil Aviation Authority in the prescribed form and pay the requisite fee for due processing.
Uses of Drones
- Monitor crop production and infrastructure,
- Assess damage following natural calamities,
- Carry out surveys,
- Commercial photography,
- Aerial mapping, and
- Package delivery.
Using drones in Kenya is not illegal as long as you register the drone with Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) based on the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Regulations, 2017, which was promulgated on October 6, 2017.
Laws Governing Use of Drones in Kenya
- Do not fly your drone over people or crowds of people
- Respect other peoples privacy when flying your drone
- Do not fly your drone near military installations, power plants, or other areas that could concern local authorities
- You must fly during daylight hours and only fly in good weather conditions
- Do not fly your drone near airports or in any area where aircraft are operating
- You must first receive approval to operate your drone from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority
- Recreational pilots must join a drone club or association as part of the permit process, and commercial drone permits require a trained pilot to operate the drone
- Drone permits require that the operator have insurance coverage
Types of Drones
There are several types of drones depending on use and size
- Beginner Drones
- Intermediate Drones
- Advanced Drones
- Heavy lift payloads Drones
- Fixed wing long range Drones
- Specialized Drones