Drone operators risk paying Sh2mn for illegal operation -KCAA

KISUMU, Kenya, Feb 4 -The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCCA) has urged drone operators to register their aircraft systems or risk paying Sh2 million or face six months imprisonment.

The Authority Director General Captain Gilbert Kibe, who spoke during a media round table meeting in Kisumu, says there are only 200 drones licensed to operate in the country.

According to KCAA, one requires Sh 3,000 to register the equipment in addition to the Sh2,000 and/or Sh2,500 fee required to use it for commercial and leisure activity respectively.

Someone importing the drone will acquire the import permit at a Sh 3,000 fee while a foreigner seeking a one-month temporary import permit will be required to pay Sh20,000.

Furthermore, KCAA requires all aspiring drone pilots to attend a training school that costs approximately Sh 160,000

He said the drone regulations are aimed at making the operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) also known as drones to be undertaken in a safe and secured environment.

“The regulation will help in the operations as it also protects the privacy of others who might fall prey to monitoring,” he said.

Kibe who will exit the office in April after seven years of service noted that the authority anticipates increased usage of drones in Western Kenya.

“The drones will be used for data collection and research for environmental conservation around the lake basin and other natural resources such as forests, survey, and mapping as well as academic research,” he said.

KCAA said that drones are increasingly becoming part of business in the provision of other services including health care emergency services, creative economy, filming industry, sports and newsgathering.

Kibe further noted that bird strikes were still being reported at various airports in the Country and that available data showed that there are 3 – 6 bird strikes per month at Kisumu airport.

“This is the third-highest number after JKIA (22) and Wajir (12) and I can announce here that Airport Multi-Agency Team comprising KCAA, Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has undertaken significant steps to mitigate birds and another wildlife menace at the airport,” he said.