Are you looking to buy a drone in Kenya? You are allowed to own a drone in Kenya as long as you are licensed to fly. Today, we will cover what it will cost to buy and operate a drone in Kenya, where you can buy one, and the best drones you can buy in Kenya.
Where to Buy a Drone in Kenya
There are two legal ways to buy a drone in Kenya: Importing the drone yourself or buying it from a locally KCAA-approved drone reseller.
1. Import the Drone Yourself
This is a much lengthier process but a good option if you want to learn how to navigate it. It involves creating a ROMS account and applying for an Import Permit through the platform. To create a KCAA ROMS account, visit this page. You will get a page that looks like this;
Fill in the details and upload the required documents. You do not need to upload Company Registration Documents if you don’t have one. Once you submit, KCAA should approve the account in a few days. If it takes too long, you can reach out to them through – rpas@kcaa.or.ke
How to Apply for an Import Permit
Once you have successfully created a ROMS account, you can apply for an import permit. To do this, go to the Ownership section and click on Import Processing, as shown below.
Click on Apply To Import UAS. You should get a page that looks like this;
Under Make & Model, you should click on the drop-down and select the Model you would like to import. Once you do that, the rest of the details will be auto-filled. You can then fill out the remaining sections on Flight Rules, Operation Type, and Payload Details and upload the required documents. KCAA requires you to merge all the documents into one PDF for easier uploading.
If the drone you want to import is not on the platform, you can email KCAA with the drone’s Model and the details shown in the image above.
The Cost of an Import Permit
Each Import Permit Application costs KSH 3000. Before beginning the application process, you need to deposit these funds into your ROMS Account. Go to the Settings and Finance section and choose between Financial Capture for manual deposits and Epayments Manager for online payments.
Completing the Application
Once you deposit the cash and fill out the details, you can save and submit it. In case of any issues, KCAA will contact you to rectify them. If it’s all good, KCA will review and forward the application to the Ministry of Defense for vetting. You should expect a call from the MOD to undergo the vetting process, and once that is done, your application will be approved. You can track your application’s progress by logging into your ROMS account and checking the active applications.
Importing the Drone
When budgeting for the drone, keep in mind that drones are sometimes subject to taxes that may be up to 30 to 40% of their value. As long as you have an import permit, you can ship the drone using regular means, but you will need to present your Import Permit and pay any taxes to clear it from customs.
Drone Registration
Once you import the drone, you will also need to register it through the ROMS account. Registration also costs KSH 3000. This allows you to apply for Operations Authorization.
Import the Drone Through a Reseller
This option allows you to import the drone through an approved KCAA reseller. It’s often faster and easier, but you will incur an extra cost in addition to the import permit, taxes, and drone registration, but they will handle these processes for you. Once the drone arrives, you are still required to create a ROMS account and the Reseller will transfer the ownership of the drone to you.
What Does it Cost to Own a Drone in Kenya?
In addition to the costs of importing (including taxes) and registering the drone, you need to be aware of the costs of operating it.
- Operations Authorization – The KCAA requires you to apply for Operations Authorizations for both private and commercial operations. Approvals for Private operations cost KSH 2000, while approvals for commercial operations cost KSh 2500.
- ROC – For commercial operations, you need a ROC (remote Operator’s Certificate), which is another process. If you don’t have one, the best option is to get ROC support from approved ROCs.
- Insurance – Your drones must be insured to get approved for operations. Insurance companies like Geminia charge a minimum of Ksh 15,000 for Third-Party Insurance, which is the minimum required for drone operations. However, this is subject to change, so make sure you contact them.
The Best Drones You Can Buy In Kenya
The best drones you can buy will depend on what you intend to use them for. Below are the best drones by industry;
Best Drones for Photography and Videography
Below are the best drones for photography and videography;
- DJI Mini 3 Pro – Compact, lightweight, and powerful for 4K video recording and long battery life.
- DJI Mini 4 Pro – Advanced HDR 4K video, improved obstacle avoidance, and extended battery life.
- DJI Air 3S – Features dual cameras (wide and telephoto) for improved flexibility in aerial imaging.
- DJI Mavic 3 Pro – A premium option with a triple-camera system, offering cinematic-quality footage.
Best Drones for Mapping & Surveying
- DJI Phantom 4 RTK – High-accuracy mapping with RTK positioning for precision surveying.
- DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise – Built for professional applications like surveying, mapping, and public safety, featuring an advanced camera system and RTK capabilities.
- WingtraOne Gen II – A fixed-wing drone capable of high-precision mapping and aerial surveys over large infrastructure projects.
- DJI Matrice 350 RTK – Upgraded version of the Matrice 300 with enhanced safety features and longer flight time.
Best Drones for Agriculture
- DJI Agras T40 – Optimized for precision spraying with a 40L payload capacity.
- DJI Agras T50 – The latest agricultural drone with an improved spraying system, larger payload, and enhanced efficiency for large-scale farming.
- DJI Phantom 4 Multispectral – Designed for crop analysis and monitoring plant health.
- DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral – A powerful drone designed for precision agriculture and land surveying with multispectral imaging.
Best Drones for Infrastructure Inspection
- DJI Matrice 300 RTK – A versatile drone with long flight time, multiple payload options, and RTK precision.
- DJI Matrice 4T – Equipped with thermal and zoom cameras, making it ideal for power line, bridge, and oil pipeline inspections.
- Autel EVO Max 4T – Advanced AI capabilities and obstacle detection, suitable for industrial and infrastructure applications.
- Parrot Anafi AI – 4G connectivity and AI-driven flight automation for real-time data collection in inspections.
Other Drones to Consider
- DJI Flip – A compact and foldable drone designed for portability and ease of use that is great for beginners and travel enthusiasts.
- DJI Neo – A new entry in DJI’s lineup focusing on autonomous flight and AI-driven operations.
- DJI Avata 2 – A new FPV drone with enhanced stability, a better camera, and an immersive flying experience for content creators and professionals.
What to Consider When Buying a Drone in Kenya
Below are some factors to guide you on picking the best drone for your tasks.
Purpose & Use Case
- Are you buying the drone for hobby flying, photography, mapping, agriculture, security, or industrial use?
- Different drones have different camera capabilities, flight times, and durability levels suited for specific applications.
2. Flight & Safety Regulations
- Ensure you understand Kenya’s drone regulations, including where you can and cannot fly.
- Check for no-fly zones near airports, military bases, and national parks.
- Consider drones with obstacle avoidance and return-to-home (RTH) features to enhance safety.
3. Maintenance & Spare Parts Availability
- Some drones require regular maintenance, such as replacing propellers or batteries.
- Check if spare parts and accessories are available locally.
- Consider brands with strong after-sales support and service centers in Kenya.
4. Connectivity & Control Options
- Some advanced drones offer 4G/5G connectivity for extended-range control.
- If you’re in surveying or mapping, look for drones with RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) GPS for high-precision positioning.
5. After-Sales Support & Warranty
- Does the reseller offer local warranty support?
- Can you easily access repairs and software updates?
- Consider drones from reputable brands that provide reliable customer support.
6. Flight Time & Battery Life
- Consumer drones usually have 30-45 minutes of flight time, while enterprise drones can go up to 50+ minutes.
- Extra batteries can extend your flight duration, but factor in charging times and portability.
7. Budget & Long-Term Investment
- Beyond the initial cost, factor in accessories, software, and operational costs.
- Enterprise users should consider return on investment (ROI) if using drones for business applications like agriculture, surveying, or security.
Conclusion
So, how much does a drone cost in Kenya, or how much is a drone camera in Kenya? You should check the price on online retailers like Amazon or DJI Store for DJI drones, then add a tax rate of up to 40% to get an accurate estimate. For instance, the DJI Flip costs $439 on DJI’s website, but by the time you get it to Kenya, expect to have spent close to Ksh 100,000. Import permits, registration, insurance, and operations authorizations are other costs you need to consider. And where do you buy the drone? You can import it yourself and handle the import permit application process or go through an approved reseller.