KCAA ADVISORY CIRCULAR TO PROPERTY OWNER, LESSORS & LESSEES

On 3th February 2026, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) issued a public notice, pursuant to Section 57 of the Civil Aviation Act (Cap. 394) and the Civil Aviation (Aerodromes) Regulations 2013, to all property owners, lessors, and lessees of all developments/buildings and other structures, located within a radius of 15 kilometer of the vicinity of Wilson Airport  to install on their developments/buildings and structures the prescribed Class B medium-intensity aeronautical obstacle lights so as to enhance aviation safety by increasing the visibility of structures and earlier detection and recognition of obstructions by pilots.

From the notice, individuals or entities with developments/buildings and structures within the following areas around Wilson Airport are thereby required to comply within 30 days to avoid enforcement measure from the Authority:

The Authoriy has further issued an Advisory Circular number: CAA-AC- AGA032A relating to GUIDANCE ON MARKING AND LIGHTING OF OBSTACLES. The circular provides guidance to aerodrome operators on the lighting and marking of obstacles at and in the vicinity of aerodromes (including Wilson Airport) in order to comply with the requirements of the Civil Aviation (Aerodromes) Regulations, 2013.

Under the circular, the Authority has indicated that Marking and Lighting standards in the advisory circular are the minimum necessary for aviation safety and that the lights should be positioned to ensure that a pilot has an unobstructed view of at least one light at each level.

The Authority outlined the following structures as ones that require the lighting and marking:Cranes, Chimneys, Tall buildings, Extensive buildings, Television/radio and telecommunications towers, Flares stacks, Electricity transmission lines, Bridges, Wind turbines and Radar.

For specification on the requirements for lighting and marking, see the full advisory circular here: Aerodromes Advisory Circulars | Kenya Civil Aviation Authority

For towers and buildings the Authority explained that:

Depending on the height of the tower and other factors, the installation of lights on towers and antennas may vary. They should be positioned to ensure that a pilot has an unobstructed view of at least one light at each level. In the case of an extensive/solid structure such as building, the top lights shall be so arranged to indicate the points or edges of the structure, and lights should be visible when approaching the structure from any direction.

For mobile objects the Authority expalined that:

All mobile objects to be marked by colour or display flags. On marking by colour, the mobile objects to be marked by a single conspicuous colour, preferably red or yellowish green for emergency vehicles and yellow for service vehicles.  On marking by flags: Flags used to mark mobile objects shall be displayed around, on top of, or around the highest edge of the object. Flags should not increase the hazard presented by the object they mark and flags used to mark mobile objects should not be less than 0.9 m on each side and should consist of a chequered pattern, each square having sides of not less than 0.3 m. The colours of the pattern should contrast each with the other and with the background against which they will be seen. Orange and white or alternatively red and white should be used, except where such colours merge with the background.

For Overhead wires, cables, etc., and supporting towers:

Aerial/obstruction marker balls shall be displayed on the following along the flight path to warn pilots during the day and to help pilots see the lines to avoid flying into them.

1. High-rise Power Transmission Lines
2. Ropeway cables
3. Guyed Wires

For Wind turbines:

A wind turbine shall be marked and/or lighted if it is determined to be an obstacle. The rotor blades, nacelle and upper 2/3 of the supporting mast of wind turbines should be painted white, unless otherwise indicated by an aeronautical study. When lighting is deemed necessary, in the case of a wind farm, i.e. a group of two or more wind turbines, the wind farm should be regarded as an extensive object and the lights should be installed.

In Conclusion, The Authority has also illustated how obstacles should be marked or lighten using figures on the circular so as to assist property owners in marking or lighting their property. The figures can be viewd on circular number CAA-AC- AGA032A.

For more information or assistance in compliance please contact us on info@aowangaadvocates.com or +254794600191

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