Kenya
Kenya has unusually broad freedom of panorama, but national parks and any commercial shoot need a paid film licence on top of the copyright freedom.
Guidance, not legal advice
Permit
Conditional
Issuer: Kenya Film Classification Board for commercial shoots; KWS for parks; National Museums for heritage sites
Cost: No permit for personal photography; commercial shoots need a KFCB licence (about $60 plus $10 per day), and parks charge a separate KWS permit
Personal and hobby photography needs no permit. Foreign filmmakers need a local film agent. Avoid government, military, State House, and airports.
Drone / airspace
Regulated by the KCAA, which treats all drones as aircraft needing registration and a permit; drones are banned inside national parks
Visitors need KCAA approval before arrival. For detail, see Drone Authority.
Street / public space
Yes, with no general release requirement, but the Constitution protects privacy; avoid intrusive or commercial use of identifiable people without consent
Maasai and other community subjects commonly expect payment for portraits; agree a fee first.
Freedom of panorama
Full
The Copyright Act 2001 exempts reproduction and distribution of an artistic work situated where it can be viewed by the public, including architecture, sculpture, and photographs, so commercial sale is allowed. This is separate from park and film permit rules.
Practical notes
- In KWS parks, personal photos are free but commercial filming needs a KWS permit priced by crew size, plus park entry.
- Pay before photographing Maasai and other community subjects; never photograph military, police, government, or airports.
Sources
Keep shooting
Knowing the rules is half the job. The craft side: