Kenya’s Drone Revolution with Alex Mugane Wanjai of Customized Aviation Solutions

Inside Kenya’s Drone Revolution with Alex Mugane Wanjai of Customized Aviation Solutions, a company reshaping Kenya’s technology landscape.

So who am I with today? Today you’re with Alex Mugane Wanjai from Customized Aviation Solutions Limited and welcome.

Alex speaks with calm authority as he introduces a company reshaping Kenya’s technology landscape.
He pauses for a moment, then continues with the ease of a man who knows his mission.

“And this is a company where we deal with drones. So take us through a bit of what you do here at Customized Aviation Solutions.”

That question opens the door to an ecosystem many Kenyans have never fully understood. Yet this ecosystem is quietly transforming agriculture, security, wildlife management, and even youth employment.

Building Kenya’s Most Complete Drone Technology Ecosystem

“What we do at Customized Aviation Solutions Limited,” Alex says, “is offer a whole solution on technology with drones.”

Their focus is simple: data collection and data processing across multiple industries.

Filming and photography remain familiar uses for drones. However, Alex’s team goes far beyond weddings and events. They run precision agriculture, mapping, forest measurement, wildlife tracking, and surveillance across Kenya and East Africa.

In precision agriculture, the company uses multispectral drones to analyze crop health. They use LIDAR drones with RTK systems to create highly accurate farm maps. Farmers receive clear data for targeted spraying and improved yields.

“We are doing a lot in Eldoret,” Alex notes as he shares current field work.

Their forestry division measures trees with remarkable accuracy. They capture canopy volume, tree height, and diameter at breast height with two-centimeter precision. Every tree appears as a coordinate on an Excel sheet.

Wildlife tracking is another major field. His teams follow animal herds and count populations in conservancies like Laikipia. They support wetlands conservation projects in Wajir and other regions.

Surveillance services help large farms detect intruders early. They support tea farms, coffee estates, and maize plantations using thermal cameras and night-vision payloads.

Mapping and surveying services cover roads, bridges, dams, rivers, and urban developments.
The company delivers contour data and elevation models for engineering teams.

All operations follow regulations by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, which governs drones nationally.

Training Kenya’s Next Generation of Drone Pilots

Customized Aviation Solutions also runs a UT0 training organization. They train commercial drone pilots to acquire the Remote Pilot License.
This rigorous course lasts three weeks and includes practical sessions, theory, and high-level safety standards.

Young people aged 10 to 18 can also train at the institution. They receive a hobby license under supervision of licensed pilots.
Alex believes early exposure helps students embrace technology confidently.

The company further provides ROC support, which enables clients to operate legally within defined areas.
They handle permits, coordinates, and letters of no objection.
Most permits take three to five days to process.

Customized Aviation Solutions also assists clients importing drones. They secure temporary and permanent import permits for filmmakers, tourists, and businesses.
Every drone entering Kenya undergoes inspection and KCAA certification.

“We offer a whole drone ecosystem,” Alex emphasizes.
“To us, this is an environment.”

A Company Born During COVID, Now Leading a Tech Movement

Alex recounts the early days. The idea began during COVID, when he and his team assessed gaps in drone technology.
They realized Kenya needed localized solutions, training, and research in this emerging field.

Today the company collaborates with young people nationwide, promoting up-skilling and empowerment.
They partner with counties including Wajir and Murang’a to implement technology-driven projects.

Customization defines their work.
Each client receives tailored technology solutions based on specific needs and research requirements.

Why Tech and AI Inspire Alex Every Morning

Alex has spent over 20 years in technology, though his background is in marketing.
Understanding what he sells forced him to master tech deeply.

He recalls the early days when internet access was a luxury. Today the internet is a basic need, much like electricity.He believes the same evolution awaits drones, robotics, and AI.

Drones are no longer “rich man’s equipment.”
With proper training and awareness, they are accessible tools for agriculture, environment, and business.

Alex draws inspiration from global trends. He cites China, Israel, and the United States, where farms rely heavily on drone technology. These examples fuel his drive to push Kenya further.

“Our target is research and development,” he says.
“We are inspired to dig deeper and grow the industry.”

Technology Is No Longer the Future

Alex believes technology is already a basic need. He gives simple examples. You open your phone in the morning to check messages. You pay at a shop using a PDQ system. Internet outages can shut down a company in minutes.

He encourages Kenyans to embrace technology instead of fearing job displacement. AI is transforming industries, not replacing human purpose.
He urges financial officers and accountants to embrace AI tools and become educators in AI-driven finance.

He believes the youth adapt fastest. They are quick learners, creative thinkers, and open to change.
He encourages collaboration between generations to build stronger digital cultures.

Agriculture, Kenya’s Largest Untapped Tech Frontier

Alex is adamant that agriculture holds the most potential for tech disruption. Kenya eats from sunrise to sunset, yet many farms lack modern tools.

“If a 5,000-acre farm in China can run with five people, imagine Kenya’s potential,” he says.

Customized Aviation Solutions is already piloting projects that integrate soil testing, crop analysis, and drone spraying. One upcoming challenge involves converting a 20-acre farm into a fully automated, tech-driven farm.

He also highlights flood management, urban planning, river mapping, and wildlife monitoring as key opportunities The company collaborates with universities to validate drone-generated soil data.
This is essential for accuracy and scientific acceptance.

Helping Kenyans Navigate Drone Regulations with Ease

Many Kenyans fear drones because of licensing barriers. Alex wants to change that. “We are here to take care of your needs,” he says. They help with import permits, registration, and flight permissions.

Their RPL training explains regulations, flight rules, and restricted areas. Nairobi flights, for example, require coordination with the Ministry of Defence.
Following rules keeps drone pilots safe and compliant.

Inside the Customized Aviation Workshop

Alex walks through his drone collection. A Phantom 4 DJI supports training and filming. The star of the workshop is the Matrice 300 RTK, which carries LIDAR equipment for mapping.

It also supports thermal imaging for surveillance and wildlife tracking. A TH4 system allows the Matrice to fly advertising flags. They also operate multispectral drones for agriculture. Each department has its own head and assigned equipment.

Teams deploy across Kenya daily. One team may spray farms in Rumuruti. Another may map land in Bungoma. Another team works in foreign markets like Tanzania or Uganda.

Cross-border work requires compliance with regional aviation laws. Customized Aviation handles communication with authorities on both sides.

Youth Can Build Careers in Drone Technology Today

Customized Aviation has already upskilled over 10 young people into professional drone pilots.
Many now run drone businesses or offer specialized services.

The company also supports a youth empowerment program with 15 trainees. Alex invites young people in photography, civil engineering, wildlife science, climate studies, and computer science to explore drone careers.

They don’t need to be pilots to begin. They can start with data processing, AI, mapping, or filming.

A Vision for Kenya’s Future

Customized Aviation Solutions is not just a drone company. It is an innovation hub, a training center, and a bridge to future careers.

Alex Thuo Wanjai believes Kenya’s youth can transform the region through technology.
His mission is clear: create opportunities, share knowledge, and push Kenya into the global tech arena.

The message is simple.
Embrace technology, learn continuously, and explore the vast opportunities around drones and data.

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