GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 8015

PURSUANT to regulation 21 of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, 2003, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has received an Environmental Impact Assessment Study Report for the above proposed project. The proponent, Zima Homes Limited, proposes to construct 143No. affordable housing units comprising 34No. studio apartments, 69No. one bedroom apartments and 40 No. two bedroom apartments and other associated facilities and amenities on plot L.R. No. Kabete/Karura/3979 in Kibiku–Ngababa area along Gitaru Road, Kabete Constituency, Kiambu Road. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Possible Impacts Mitigation Measures Visual and landscape • Maintain the natural drainage systems and patterns. • Preserve the existing natural vegetation as much as possible. • Protect existing vegetation from damage using suitable methods. • Commence landscaping activities as soon superstructures are erected. • Set out a plan for re-vegetation of disturbed areas. Air quality • Sprinkle water on work areas, and materials heaps to minimize dust emissions. • Minimize exposed areas through the schedule of construction activities to enable dust control. • Stabilize exposed soil using stone/gravel layering. • Stabilize primary entrances/exits prior to commencement of construction. • Direct construction vehicular traffic to stabilized roadways. 3472 3472 Possible Impacts Mitigation Measures • Regularly service equipment/machinery to maintain efficiency in combustion and reduce carbon emissions. • Use environmentally friendly fuels such as low Sulphur diesel. • Minimize the period for machinery idling. • Provide PPE such as dust masks to site workers. Energy • Use rated equipment in welding and related works. • Maintain equipment and machinery to manufacturers’ specifications by regular servicing to maintain efficiency in combustion. • Minimize the period for machinery idling to save on fuel. • Specify and procure the most energy efficient plant options fit for purpose. Noise and vibrations • Install portable hoods to shield compressors and other small stationary equipment. • Use equipment installed with noise abatement devices. • Reduce idling time on trucks and other noisy equipment. • Turn off vehicle engines when not in use. • Avoid unnecessary hooting/revving of engines. • Provide personal protective equipment such as earmuffs to workers at the site. • Carry out construction work during the day only. Water resources • Avoid extravagant water use and wastage. • Monitor water consumption and maintain records. • Harvest storm water to supplement other sources of water. • Channel construction wastewater into temporary holding ponds to remove sediments. • Recycle and reuse construction wastewater. Soil resources • Salvage, stockpile and re-use of native topsoil during re-vegetation activities. • Identify fertile soil borrow-pits as close as possible to the project site. • Re-vegetate disturbed areas as soon as possible to prevent soil erosion. • Construction vehicles to use predetermined tracks at the site to reduce ground compaction. • Utilize vegetation, mulching, sprinkling and stone/gravel layering to quickly stabilize exposed soil. • Use holding ponds to trap sediments from construction wastewater. • Store hazardous materials according to their MSDS’s. Traffic • Construction traffic movements not to coincide with the known rush hours in the project area. • Observe speed and loading limits. • Develop a traffic management plan for the site. • Install traffic control/warning signs along the access road near the site entrance. Possible Impacts Mitigation Measures Waste • Identify a temporary holding area for demolition and construction wastes. • Recycle and re-use demolition and construction waste. • Immediately clear from site all non- recyclable/reusable wastes. • Washing of concrete-coated vehicles/equipment off-site or in a designated area. • Ensure that cleared waste is disposed appropriately in designated disposal/landfill sites. Natural resources • Source construction materials from registered and approved quarries and sand mining firms. • Implement stringent inventory management mechanisms. • Manufacture building elements off-site where possible and deliver to site. Health and safety • Comply with the requirements of OSHA, 2007. • Access to the construction site to be controlled to prevent unauthorized access. • Provide for appropriate signage and warnings in work areas. • Provide PPE to site workers. • Provide for First Aid facilities. • Train workers on emergency response such as first aid skills. • Provide adequate sanitary facilities on site. • Provide and clearly display emergency contacts on site. • Develop and implement a detailed and site- specific Emergency Response Plan. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, NHIF Building, 12th Floor, Ragati Road, Upper Hill, P.O. Box 30126–00100, Nairobi. (b) Director-General, NEMA, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839–00200, Nairobi. (c) County Director of Environment, Kiambu County. A copy of the report can be downloaded at www.nema.go.ke The National Environment Management Authority invites members of the public to submit oral or written comments within thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this notice to the Director-General, NEMA, to assist the Authority in the decision making process regarding this project. Comments can also be emailed to dgnema@nema.go.ke MAMO B. MAMO, Director-General, MR/1774938 National Environment Management Authority.