The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has dispelled fears that a petrol station coming up along Mombasa Road poses a threat to the flight path of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
KCAA clarified that the petrol station currently under construction was fully reviewed and approved in line with aviation safety regulations.
The authority said the development underwent the required technical and safety assessments before being granted approval, following concerns raised on social media about the project’s proximity to the airport’s flight path.
“Attention has been drawn through social media to the ongoing construction of a petrol station along JKIA’s flight path. The development referenced near JKIA along Mombasa Road has undergone the required review and analysis and has been granted approval as required by the regulations,” the regulator said in a statement issued on Monday evening.
The statement was in response to reports that went viral online regarding the potential risks of structures built close to airport flight paths, especially near the country’s biggest and busiest airport.
“Not another petrol station coming at the exit of #JKIA onto Mombasa Road, which is one of the most confusing and dangerous roads in Nairobi, Kenya? @TotalEnergiesKE @KenyaAirports @ntsa_kenya @KeNHAKenya,” an X user, @Bankelele, wrote last week.
However, KCAA maintained that its regulatory framework requires strict technical scrutiny of such developments to safeguard air navigation and airport operations.
It added: “It should be noted that all project or development proposals at or in the vicinity of an aerodrome are subjected to due process and established aviation safety protocols by KCAA.”
The statement comes at a time when KCAA has issued a 30-day notice to property owners, developers, and tenants near airports to install required obstacle lights or face enforcement action.
In a notice by MyGov issued on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, KCAA stated that the directive is part of measures to protect flight safety and maintain a secure and efficient civil aviation system across the country.
“Failure to comply shall attract enforcement action by the Authority in accordance with the law,” the KCAA notice of February 3, 2026, read.
KCAA also clarified that all developers planning projects within the defined aerodrome vicinity must first submit applications for review and approval of the acceptable building height.
“Applications for authorisation shall be submitted to KCAA for review and approval of the acceptable height before commencement of any construction,” the regulator added.Nairobi estates on KCAA’s radar include Nairobi West, Madaraka, South B, South C, Nairobi Dam, Ngummo, Highview, Magiwa, Golf Course, and Lang’ata estates.
Others are Karen, Southlands, Otiende, Ngei 1 and 2, Onyonka, Masai, Uhuru Gardens, Jonathan Ngeno, Deliverance, Dam Estate, Ngong Road, Kibera, Highrise, Ongata Rongai, and Kabete.
