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{
    "id": 1074058,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1074058/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 19,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. M. Kajwang’",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13162,
        "legal_name": "Moses Otieno Kajwang'",
        "slug": "moses-otieno-kajwang"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.47(1) to make a Statement on an issue of general topical concern, namely the review of regulatory framework for unmanned aircraft systems, also known as drones in Kenya. Unmanned aircraft systems refer to aircrafts that are operated without humans on board. Commonly known as drones, they range from hand-held consumer devices, used for photography and leisure to sophisticated systems used in warfare and military operations. Despite their military and security legacy, drones have found innovative applications in sectors as diverse as health, agriculture, disaster management and environmental conservation, where they are being used to solve some of Africa’s most pressing problems. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in Rwanda, for example, the government has sanctioned the use of drones to deliver medicine and fresh blood to remote hospitals. In Uganda, drones are supporting precision agriculture and contributing towards and agrarian revolution. In Malawi, drones are being used to generate maps to monitor disasters and crises and to deliver aid and development material. In Kenya, drones have been deployed to fight the locusts menace through targeted spraying in hard-to-reach areas and mapping to determine crop losses. The use of drones in wildlife conservation is well-documented across Africa and the commercial application of drones in global supply chains by companies like Amazon has taken route in the West. Clearly, the potential of drones to contribute towards the common good is immense. Mr. Speaker, Sir, recently, the Government published regulations to guide the use of drones in Kenya. The Civil Aviation and Manned Aircraft Systems Regulations of 2020 were published on 30th March, 2020 and the Civil Aviation Regulatory fees and charges for a manned aircraft system regulations were published on 22nd January, 2021. These regulations aimed at ensuring safe and ethical uses of drones in the country and borrows heavily from international trends. However, the regulations have also introduced bureaucracies, licences and levies similar to the infamous Red Flag Act that stifled innovations in the automobile industry in the 19th Century. The Government now requires all drones, irrespective of size and use, to be registered at a fee by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA). Only Kenyan citizens can own and operate a drone. Importing a drone whether for leisure or commerce requires a license at a fee from KCAA. In addition, one must obtain clearance from the Ministry of Defence to import a drone irrespective of use. Further, to operate a drone in Kenya, you must obtain a remote pilot licence that is issued by KCAA at a fee following training at an institution that is licensed by KCAA, also at a fee. There are many other provisions that only serve the"
}