The Kenyan law requires all drones in the country to be registered with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA). This is the body that controls and regulates use of drones in the country. Lets look at how to register a drone in Kenya.
Hence, if you want to operate a drone in the country, you should follow the below steps to register. The registration is as per the drone laws of 2020.
How to register a drone in Kenya
Step 1: Fill in the registration form. This happens on the KCAA portal. You should ensure to fill in all the details as per the requirements.
Step 2: Provide the Necessary documents. These are documents to ascertain the details of the drone you are registering. Some of the key documents include;
- Identification documents (National identity card/Passport). How to Apply for a Passport in Kenya.
- Police clearance certificate. Learn more on How to Get a Police Clearance Certificate.
- Photo of the drone.
- Type Certificate of the UAS (if applicable)
- Circuit diagram of the UAS (if applicable)
- Company registration documents (if applicable). How to register a company in Kenya
Step 3: Review by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority. After submitting the registration form and documents required, KCAA has to evaluate the application and determine whether it is successful or not.
Step 4: Registration certificate issuance. This is the final step if the review process is successful. KCAA issues a certificate as a confirmation of registration.
After registration, the next step process involves applying for a permit to fly a drone in Kenya.
How to get a permit to fly a drone in Kenya
The process is almost similar to registering a drone. However, you need to provide more documents in this step.
Step 1: Initiate an application on the KCAA portal.
Step 2: Provide all the required documents to support your request. These include:
- Identification documents such as a passport or a national identity card.
- Color photograph of the drone (front and side, on the ground, occupying most of the image size)
- A clear picture of the drone serial number.
- Drone pilot license/certificate copy.
- Safety documentation with at least emergency procedures in case of (Control failure, Engine failure, Accumulator issues, Command, and control data link failure)
- A Copy of the liability insurance document related to the UAS operation Type certificate (if applicable)
Step 3: Review by KCAA. After making the application, KCAA reviews it to confirm whether it is complete or not.
Step 4: Issuance of a drone flying permit. This is the final step in this process that involves KCAA issuing a permit to authorize drone flying.
Drone Flying Rules in Kenya
Getting both the drone registration certificate and drone flying permit is subject to the below rules and regulations. Failure to follow the rules could result in the cancellation of the permits.
- A person shall not transfer ownership of a drone without the approval of the KCAA.
- Operators must register their drones with the Authority and be issued a certificate of registration.
- All drone operations must be conducted under a specific operational category based on risk factors.
- Commercial drone operations require a pilot to obtain a Remote Aircraft Operators Certificate (ROC) from the Authority.
- Drones shall not fly above 400 feet AGL or within 164 feet (50 meters) of any person, vessel, or vehicle that is not a part of the operation.
- A pilot shall not fly a drone in non-Visual Meteorological Conditions or at night unless authorized by the Authority.
- No person shall operate an Unmanned Aircraft System over a public road or along the public road at a distance of fewer than 164 feet (50 meters).
- You can not use a public roadway as a place of landing or take-off of a drone.
- Operating a drone within 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) of an airport from the airport reference point for code C, D, E, and F airports is prohibited without authorization
- Operating a drone within 4.3 miles (7 kilometers) of an airport from the airport reference point for code A and B airports is prohibited without authorization.
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