NAIROBI, Kenya – The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has issued a stern public warning to developers and property owners, tightening controls on construction near airports and aerodromes in a move aimed at safeguarding air navigation and flight safety.
In a notice published this week, the aviation regulator said any development within a 15-kilometre radius of an aerodrome must receive prior written approval from the Authority, warning that violations will attract enforcement action under Kenyan law.
An aerodrome refers to any designated land or water area — including associated buildings and equipment — used for aircraft take-off, landing, and surface movement.
KCAA said the directive is anchored in Section 57 of the Civil Aviation Act (Cap. 394) and the Civil Aviation (Aerodromes) Regulations, 2013, which give the Authority the mandate to regulate aviation safety and infrastructure.
“No person shall construct, erect, or alter any building or structure within the vicinity of an aerodrome without prior written authorisation from the Authority,” KCAA stated.
Height Clearance Now Mandatory
Under the new enforcement push, developers must obtain clearance on the acceptable height of buildings before commencing any construction works near airports.
“Applications for authorisation shall be submitted to the Authority for review and approval of the acceptable height prior to commencement of any construction,” the notice reads.
Guidelines on how to apply are available on the KCAA website, while inquiries can also be made via email at gops@kcaa.or.ke.
Obstacle Lights Required on Buildings
KCAA has also made it compulsory for developments near aerodromes to install Class B medium-intensity aeronautical obstacle lights, a safety feature designed to improve aircraft visibility during operations.
“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,” the Authority said.
The lights must be installed either at the tip of aerial masts or at the four upper corners of buildings, in line with Regulation 72 of the Civil Aviation (Aerodromes) Regulations, 2013.
Further technical specifications are outlined in Advisory Circular CAA-AC-AGA-032 on the Lighting and Marking of Obstacles, which is also available on the regulator’s website.
Areas Affected Around Wilson Airport
To clarify the scope of the directive, KCAA listed several neighbourhoods surrounding Wilson Airport that fall within the 15-kilometre control zone.
These include Nairobi West, Madaraka, South B, South C, Nairobi Dam, Ngummo, Highview, Magiwa, Lang’ata Estates, Karen, Southlands, Otiende, Uhuru Gardens, Ngong Road, Kibera, Highrise, Ongata Rongai, Kabete, and several other estates.
The requirements apply to both international and domestic aerodromes across the country.
30-Day Compliance Deadline
Property owners, landlords, and tenants within affected zones have been given 30 days from the date of publication to comply with the new safety requirements.
“All owners, lessors, and lessees of affected developments are hereby given thirty (30) days’ notice to install the prescribed obstacle lights,” KCAA said.
The Authority warned that failure to comply will lead to enforcement action in accordance with the law.
The notice was signed by the Director General of the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority and forms part of broader efforts to maintain aviation safety standards amid growing urban development around airports.
