What Are Drones Being Used for In Kenya

The drone industry in Kenya has come a long way. From no regulations to total banning of drone use, to now where we have working Kenya drone laws and a framework of drone ownership and private and commercial use. It’s more common to come across drone operations in various parts of the country compared to a few years ago. Are you curious about what people are currently using drones for in Kenya? Today, I will discuss some of the most common uses.

Agricultural Spraying, Spreading, and Precision Agriculture

Major plantations in Kenya, such as tea and wheat plantations, are now more receptive to using drones in their spraying and spreading operations. Tea plantations in Kericho, for instance, have adopted DJI Agras drones during their spreading seasons. Wheat farmers in regions like Narok and horticultural farmers nationwide have also explored the benefits of drones. Drones have proven faster, more effective, and cost-effective in the long run than traditional or manual spraying methods.

Some plantations that often used manned aircraft for spreading fertilizer are now considering drones due to their accessibility, ease of use, and ability to spray closer to the plant, minimizing wastage. While manned aircraft have more capacity, the manufacturing of larger drones like the Agras T40s and T50s that can carry up to 40 kg and the ability to acquire several drones make drones worth considering even for large-scale spraying and spreading.

With drones equipped with multispectral, it is also possible to first map the area, analyze crop health using vegetation indices like NDVI, predict yields, and determine which plants need more care than others, improving efficiency while saving costs. This targeted care also helps increase yields. Smaller camera drones have also been used to take detailed images during the growth process of a plant and analyze them with tailored software to identify trends or issues one can’t see with the naked eye. Kenya drone companies like Ariline, Astral Aerial, Fahari Aviation, Hover Mode, Agribiz Drone, and DroneCrop, just to name a few, are some of the companies offering agricultural drone services.

Surveying and Mapping

Surveying and mapping are two of the most common applications of drones in Kenya. Unlike spraying and spreading, the drones used for mapping are cheaper and more accessible. Even a DJI Mavic 2 Pro drone can produce a detailed orthomosaic, but for more advanced survey-grade work, you will need more advanced drones such as the Mavic 3 Enterprise, M300 RTK, M350 RTK, Phantom 4 RTK, just to mention a few. When it comes to surveying and mapping, UAVs offer the following benefits;

• Large coverage in a short time—Compared to traditional surveying methods, drones can cover much more ground in a short time. For instance, drones can cover up to 100 acres in a few hours, whereas it would take days to do the same from the ground.
• Access hard-to-reach areas – Drones allow users to map inaccessible areas such as flooded areas, swamps, rugged landscapes, etc.
• High accuracy – Thanks to advanced sensors and AI, drones are proving to be reliable tools for producing accurate maps, 3D models, and digital twins, making the data they collect easily integrated into BIM and other engineering and architectural workflows.

Construction and Large Infrastructure Application

In the construction landscape in Kenya, drones have a wide range of uses, including;

• Progress monitoring—Drones have been used to regularly take pictures and videos during the construction phase, making it easier to account for materials, track progress, and provide a better way to document progress for stakeholders. 3D models can also be developed from the drone footage and compared with the initial plan, ensuring the project is on track.
• Inspection—Drones with LiDAR or high-quality imagery sensors have been used to inspect cell towers, power lines, and ongoing construction projects to identify issues and detect vegetation growth while ensuring safety. Companies like Dronector have used heavy-lift drones to string power lines, increasing the speed of the task while maintaining the safety of the workers.

Medical Drone Delivery

Medical drone delivery is gaining popularity worldwide, and Kenya has not been left behind. In the delivery space, drones save time, go to areas people can’t access with vehicles or on foot, and potentially save lives by delivering much-needed medical supplies urgently. Zipline, a global delivery company, is set up in Kisumu County, where they deliver medical supplies and samples in the region. They were the first to launch drone delivery in Kenya and helped set the baseline for authorizing such drone operations. Other companies also testing the idea of drone delivery in Kenya include Wingcopter, Skyports, Swoop Aero, Narma Inc., and Boehringer Ingelheim.

Surveillance and Monitoring

Due to their ability to cover more ground in a short time, the aerial perspective they offer, and advanced sensors, such as thermal sensors that can see at night, drones are becoming invaluable tools for surveillance, monitoring, and other conservation efforts in Kenya. A good example is the Mara Elephant Project, which uses drones to track strayed elephants and drive them back into the forest.

Major plantations, large infrastructure projects, and even government agencies are also exploring drones for surveillance and asset protection since they are easier to deploy and provide an edge to ground security teams when dealing with intruders. When combined with AI and advanced sensors, drones can be used to census animals, monitor their health, identify patterns, prevent poaching, recognize people, and many other uses.

Photography, Filming, and Tourism Promotion

Whether filming a wedding, commercial, or documentary, drones help provide an aerial view of the area. Drones are widely used in the Kenyan filming industry, and it’s more common to see drone shots in social media content, movies, and even news coverage. Kenya is also a famous tourist destination due to its vast landscapes, animals, and Safaris. With the appropriate drone permits, it is possible to bring a drone to a Kenyan Safari.

Reforestation Efforts

Like many regions worldwide, Kenya has suffered a significant amount of deforestation. It is estimated that Kenya loses 12,000 hectares of forest cover annually. One way to curb a fast rate of deforestation is to increase the rate of reforestation, and drones can help with that. Companies like Ecowings have used drones to drop seed balls in deforested areas, planting at a much faster rate and accessing hard-to-reach areas. Drones have also been used to map forests, assess tree health, and quantify carbon sequestration. A good example of such a project is the AZ Forest Reforestation Programme, where they used drones and AI to achieve their goals.

 

Challenges Facing the Adoption of Drone Technology in Kenya

While we are seeing an increase in drone adoption in Kenya, below are some challenges hindering their full potential.

• High Costs: Expensive drones, import taxes, and resellers drive up prices, making drone services more costly than traditional methods.
• Regulatory Barriers: Lengthy processes for permits and operational authorizations, especially for BVLOS flights, limit adoption.
• Lack of Awareness: Limited understanding of drone benefits among potential users, leading to resistance or hesitation.
• Skills Gap: Few pilots and technicians are trained, and training programs in remote areas are limitedly accessible.
• Infrastructure Issues: Poor internet connectivity and lack of support infrastructure in rural areas hinder operations.
• Privacy and Security Concerns: Some people may be hesitant to accept drone usage due to fears of surveillance and potential misuse for illegal activities.
• Weather Dependence: Adverse weather conditions like heavy rain and strong winds disrupt drone operations.
• Resistance to Change: Industries entrenched in traditional methods are slow to adopt drone technology.
• Limited R&D: Overreliance on imported drones raises costs and limits local customization.
• Startup Funding Challenges: High capital requirements and investor skepticism hinder growth in the drone sector.

Conclusion

The adoption of drone technology in Kenya is steadily growing, with applications spanning agriculture, construction, medical delivery, conservation, and beyond. Despite the challenges, such as high costs, regulatory barriers, and limited local expertise, the potential for drones to revolutionize industries is undeniable. By addressing these challenges through improved policies, increased awareness, investment in training, and local innovation, Kenya can fully harness the benefits of drones.