The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has approved the Konza National Drone Corridor, which will be the first controlled airspace in Kenya that will be used specifically for drone operations.
In a statement on Wednesday, July 9, Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) confirmed the approval saying that the corridor will enable the safe execution of long-range drone flights. This, it said, will boost the country's aviation and use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
According to the authority, the regulated corridor will also be used by various institutions to test and train drone technologies in the country.
"A dedicated and highly skilled Corridor Operations Coordinator will manage the space, ensuring continuous compliance with regulations, optimising operational efficiency, and maintaining the highest safety standards," the authority stated.
"The corridor offers open access for authorized operators, researchers, and training institutions, fostering a dynamic environment for partnerships, knowledge sharing, and collective innovation," it added.
According to Konza, the corridor will be pivotal in elevating the country's critical sectors, such as agriculture, healthcare deliveries, logistics, and disaster response, which are rapidly adopting drone applications.
According to the Konza technopolis CEO, John Paul Okwiri, the corridor will pave the way for rapid economic metamorphosis, by attracting more investment in the country and more job opportunities.
“This approval is a profound testament to Kenya’s progressive vision of becoming a global leader in smart technology and aviation innovation,” he said.
The use of drones in the country is steadily gaining ground. Just a month ago, the Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, Mutahi Kagwe, revealed that the government is in the process of introducing technology-related courses, including the use of drones, AI, and big data in the curriculum of the Kenya School of Agriculture (KSA).
The CS, who was speaking during the International Floriculture Trade Expo (IFTEX) on Tuesday, June 3, claimed that introducing such courses will equip farmers and Kenyan students with advanced technology skills they can use in agriculture.
"While this is a good start, we need to make this sustainable and think long-term. These skills are needed here more than anywhere else," Kagwe said.
"Benchmarking and twinning with other centres of excellence across the globe, offering short-term, certified, marketable courses that meet the felt-needs of a modern agricultural sector," he added.
Furthermore, the CS, in a statement on Wednesday, April 9, claimed that the ministry will leverage drone technology to collect critical soil data, which will then be relayed to farmers through their phones.
