Global transportation network company Uber has applied for a drone licence in Kenya to allow them to test a new product, flying taxis.
According to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), Uber's plan is to test their aerial taxi service which they plan on launching by 2020.
“Facebook and Uber have requested if we can allow them to test their projects in the country,” KCAA Director General Gilbert Kibe stated.
The announcement came following the official legalization of drones, or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), and gazetting of regulations by KCAA.
The rules have, however, not yet been ratified by Parliament and KCAA officials are scheduled to make a presentation to lawmakers on Thursday.
[caption caption="KCAA Director General Gilbert Kibe"]
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Kenya becomes the third country in Africa to put in place a legal framework for the use of drones after Rwanda and South Africa.
US tech firms Facebook and Uber were among the first to apply for the licence, but it remains unclear what projects Facebook wants to test in the country using UAVs.
As part of the new regulations; civilians are limited to flying drones above 400 feet above ground level and within 50 meters of any person, vessel, vehicle or structure which is not under the control of the person in charge of the drone.
It will also not be allowed to fly civilian drones over strategic installations, radar sites, high tension cables and communication masts, prisons, police stations, courts of law and scenes of crime unless a permit is issued.
Concerns have been raised over the fees to be charged for licences, with a section of Kenyans arguing that it could lock out hobbyists, enthusiasts and professionals such as filmmakers with low budgets.
[caption caption="A phone displaying the Uber taxi-hailing application"]
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