The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has issued a notice to property owners, developers and tenants near airports, to install the required obstacle lights within 30 days or face enforcement action.
In a statement issued on Tuesday February 3, 2026, KCAA noted that the directive aims to enhance air navigation safety while ensuring compliance with civil aviation laws.
“Failure to comply shall attract enforcement action by the Authority in accordance with the law,” the notice read.
According to the authority, the law prohibits the construction of any building or structure within 15 kilometres of an aerodrome, without prior written authorization from KCAA.
KCAA, which is responsible for regulating and managing civil aviation in Kenya, cited Section 57 of the Civil Aviation Act and the Civil Aviation (Aerodromes) Regulations, 2013, as the legal basis for the directive.
The authority further stated that any developer planning projects within the Aerodrome vicinity must submit applications for review and approval of the acceptable building heights. KCAA added that the application process is available on its website.
“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 announced.
“Applications for authorisation shall be submitted to KCAA for review and approval of the acceptable height before commencement of any construction,” it added.
The Authority also stated that all structures in aviation zones must be fitted with Class B medium-intensity aeronautical obstacle lights, as part of effort to ensure compliance with the law.
KCAA listed 25 estates within Nairobi, affected by the directive.
They include Nairobi West, Madaraka, South B, South C, Nairobi Dam, Ngummo, Highview, Magiwa, Golf Course, Lang’ata Estates, Karen, Southlands, Otiende, Ngei 1 and 2, Onyonka, Masai, Uhuru Gardens, Jonathan Ngeno, Deliverance, Dam Estate, Ngong Road, Kibera, Highrise, Ongata Rongai, and Kabete.
