Get an aircraft or ship radio station licence
Communications Authority of Kenya · sources read 2 Oct 2026
Fill the CA aircraft (CA-F-FSM-11) or ship (CA-F-FSM-15) radio form, attach a sworn affidavit with your documents and pay the application fee, then submit it to CA's Frequency Spectrum Management office at CA Centre, Waiyaki Way. Ship applications need a Kenya Maritime Authority endorsement first.
- Fee
- KSh 1,000Aircraft radio licence application fee (non-refundable)KSh 500Ship station application fee, small boats (non-refundable)KSh 1,000Ship station application fee, leisure boats and merchant vessels (non-refundable)KSh 4,800Aircraft station licence, annual fee per station per frequencyKSh 5,610Ship station licence, annual fee per station per frequency (MF/HF)KSh 2,900Ship station licence, annual fee per station per frequency (VHF/UHF)
- Where
- Frequency Spectrum Management, 1st Floor, CA Centre, Waiyaki Way, Nairobi (forms on the CA website)
What you need
- Application letter on company letterhead
- Sworn affidavit listing the document copies you are submitting (template in the form)
- Aircraft: Certificate of Registration, Certificate of Airworthiness and KCAA inspection report
- Ship: Certificate of Seaworthiness, Certificate of Registration and inspection report
- Tax Compliance Certificate and a CR12 issued in the last 2 months
- ID or passport copies of all directors and shareholders (foreign passports notarized)
Steps
- Download the right form from the CA forms page: CA-F-FSM-11 for aircraft or CA-F-FSM-15 for a ship or boat.
- For a ship, get the form endorsed by the Kenya Maritime Authority, which adds its survey report and radio details.
- Swear the affidavit before a commissioner for oaths, listing the document copies you are attaching.
- Pay the application fee and hand in the form, letter and affidavit to the Director, Frequency Spectrum Management, 1st Floor, CA Centre, Waiyaki Way, Nairobi.
Watch out
- The advocate who drafts your affidavit can't be from the same law firm as the commissioner for oaths who signs it.
- The yearly licence fee is charged per station and per frequency, so more radios or frequencies cost more.
- The licence must be kept in force by paying the fee every year.
Who can apply
- Anyone who owns or operates radio equipment on an aircraft or vessel in Kenya. All radio equipment needs a CA licence.
- For ships: individuals, partnerships, limited companies or government entities can apply.
Official sources (5)
- License Application Forms & Fees ca.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Licensing Procedures ca.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Application for an Aircraft Radio License (CA-F-FSM-11) ca.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Application for Maritime or Ship Radio Station License Form (CA-F-FSM-15) ca.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Frequency Spectrum Fee Schedule Effective July 2018 ca.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026