Yes. All foreign commercial and documentary productions filming in Kenya are required to obtain a production permit from the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB). This applies regardless of the size of the production or the equipment used. Filming without a valid permit can result in equipment confiscation, fines, and in serious cases, deportation of foreign crew members. ProKraft manages the full KFCB permit process for every production we work with.

A standard KFCB film permit typically takes two to five working days to process under normal conditions. Additional permits — KWS national park permits, drone permits from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, and county or municipal permissions — each have their own timelines and run concurrently where possible. We recommend building a minimum buffer of one week beyond standard processing times for all critical permissions. Contact us early and we will map out your complete permit timeline based on your specific locations and shoot dates.

The risks are significant and real. Kenyan authorities actively monitor filming activity, particularly in high-profile locations, national parks, and urban areas. Productions caught filming without a valid permit face equipment confiscation, financial penalties, and forced cessation of the shoot. For foreign crew members, immigration consequences including deportation are possible in serious cases. It is never worth the risk — permit costs are a small fraction of a production budget, and the consequences of non-compliance can be catastrophic for a shoot.

In most cases, yes — but with appropriate lead time and preparation. Productions covering sensitive topics, featuring government buildings or personnel, or requiring access to military or police assets require additional ministerial or departmental permissions beyond the standard KFCB permit. These take longer and involve more stakeholder management. We advise on feasibility and timelines at the briefing stage, and have experience navigating permissions for complex subject matter across a wide range of production types.

Yes. Drone operations in Kenya require approval from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) Kenya, which typically takes ten to fifteen working days. Certain locations — near airports, government buildings, national parks, and urban areas — have specific restrictions or require additional permissions beyond the standard KCAA approval. All drone operators we work with are KCAA-licensed. We manage the full drone permit process and advise on airspace restrictions for every production requiring aerial coverage.

Yes. The KFCB requires a production permit for all foreign commercial and documentary productions filming in Kenya through a locally registered film agent , regardless of the equipment used. The format and budget of your production affects the fee structure, but not the requirement to obtain permission.