The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has issued a public notice outlining strict requirements for developments near aerodromes, warning that failure to comply will attract enforcement action in line with the law.
An aerodrome is a designated land or water location, including buildings and equipment, used for the arrival, departure, and surface movement of aircraft.
In the notice, the Authority said it is “mandated to plan, develop, manage, regulate, and operate a safe, secure, economically sustainable, and efficient civil aviation system in Kenya.”
The directive is issued pursuant to Section 57 of the Civil Aviation Act (Cap. 394) and the Civil Aviation (Aerodromes) Regulations, 2013.
KCAA stated that no person is allowed to put up or modify structures near airports without its approval.
“No person shall construct, erect, or alter any building or structure within the vicinity of an aerodrome, defined as a radius of fifteen (15) kilometres from the aerodrome, without prior written authorisation from the Authority,” the notice reads.
Developers are required to seek clearance on building height before starting any works.
According to the Authority, “Applications for authorisation shall be submitted to the Authority for review and approval of the acceptable height prior to commencement of any construction.”
Guidance on the process is available on the KCAA website www.kcaa.or.ke or may be obtained by writing via email: gops@kcaa.or.ke.
The Authority has also made it mandatory for certain safety installations to be fitted on structures near aerodromes.
“All developments, including buildings and other structures, located in the vicinity of any aerodrome shall be fitted with Class B medium-intensity aeronautical obstacle lights,” it said.
These lights are intended to enhance visibility and safety for aircraft operations.
KCAA has specified where the lights should be placed, noting that “Such lights shall be installed at the tip of aerial masts or at the four upper extremities of buildings, in accordance with Regulation 72 of the Civil Aviation (Aerodromes) Regulations, 2013.”
Additional technical guidance is contained in Advisory Circular CAA-AC-AGA-032 on the Lighting and Marking of Obstacles, which is also available on its website.
The requirements cover developments near both international and domestic aerodromes.
To illustrate the scope, the Authority has listed several areas around Wilson Airport that fall within the 15-kilometre radius.
These include Nairobi West, Madaraka, South B, South C, Nairobi Dam, Ngummo, Highview, Magiwa, Golf Course, Lang’ata Estates, Karen, Southlands, Otiende, Ngei 1 & 2, Onyonka, Masai, Uhuru Gardens, Jonathan Ngeno, Deliverance, Dam Estate, Ngong Road, Kibera, Highrise, Ongata Rongai and Kabete.
Property stakeholders have been given a deadline to comply. “All owners, lessors, and lessees of affected developments are hereby given thirty (30) days’ notice from the date of this publication to install the prescribed Class B medium-intensity obstacle lights,” the notice states.
KCAA has cautioned that non-compliance will not be tolerated, warning that “Failure to comply shall attract enforcement action by the Authority in accordance with the law.”
The notice is signed by the Director General of the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority and forms part of efforts to maintain air safety standards in the country.
by PURITY WANGUI
