Kenya just legalized the use of drones and Uber has moved with pace seeking to test flying taxis in the country

david nganga

March 21, 2018 2:47 PM

Kenya on Wednesday legalized the commercial and private use of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

US-based tech giants Facebook and Uber have shown interest in testing drones in Kenya after the government legalised their commercial and private use in the country.

The two firms have requested permission from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) to use the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) following adoption of regulations to guide operation of the devices.

“Facebook and Uber have requested if we can allow them to test their projects in the country,” said KCAA Director General Gilbert Kibe.

Uber says it wants to test flying taxis in the country with plans to launch an aerial taxi service by 2020. Facebook, on the other hand, is yet to clarify specific areas that it wants to use the UAVs for.

Kenya becomes the third country on the continent after Rwanda and South Africa to have a legal framework in place for the remotely controlled aircraft.

Tanzania and Malawi had also announced plans to begin using them from early next year to deliver medical supplies such as blood and vaccines to remote areas.

david nganga