Developing a property next to an airport is quite tedious, given the regulations set out by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).
As per the law, property developers must seek approval from the authority before putting up a storey building next to an airport.
The main reason behind the move is the need to regulate the height of buildings due to an airport's safety and operation concerns.
Most importantly, the height of buildings is regulated to ensure that there is no obstacle hindering landing planes, given the specific procedures conducted before the exercise.
"No object shall penetrate the obstacle limitation surface, without the written permission of the Authority, where the object may cause an increase in an obstacle clearance altitude or in the height for an instrument approach procedure or of any associated visual circling procedure," KCAA stated.
Additionally, airport traffic management relies on radar signals in controlling traffic. Large buildings are likely to block inbound and outbound signals hence affecting communication between the command centre and pilots.
In any event, such an incident can cause plane collisions, leading to the loss of lives.
Prior to approval, developers are required to fill out a form where the nature of construction is documented.
This included the height of the building in numbers and exact site locations. This helps KCAA in deciding whether to approve or reject the application.
Contravening the specified regulations can also land someone a jail term of three years as per the Civil Aviation Act of 2013.
"Any person who contravenes the provisions of an order made under subsection commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding two million shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or to both.
"The Director-General may by order, and subject to any condition specified in the order, require or authorise either the owner or occupier of the land on which the obstruction is situated or any person acting on behalf of the DG to enter upon the land and carry out such work as is necessary to enable the warning to be given or the obstruction to be reduced in height," reads the Act in part.
