GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 9133

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, Uhuru Heights Limited, is proposing to construct 400 No. units apartments comprising; 5 blocks (A-E) of 15 floors (ground plus 14 floors) consisting 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms, 450 No. Parking slots and 4 No. Basements, a bridge linking the apartments to the two rivers development over Ruiruaka river and associated facilities and amenities on plot L.R. No. 13108/1 in Ruaka, along Limuru Road, Nairobi City County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures High demand of raw material • Source building materials from local suppliers who use environmentally friendly processes in their operations. • Ensure accurate budgeting and estimation of actual construction material requirements; • Ensure that damage or loss of materials at the construction site is kept minimal through proper storage. • Use at least 5%-10% recycled, refurbished or salvaged materials to reduce the use of raw materials and divert material from landfills. Increased storm water, runoff and soil erosion • A storm water management plan that minimizes impervious area infiltration. • Apply soil erosion control measures such as leveling of the project site. • Ensure that construction vehicles are restricted to existing graded roads to avoid soil compaction within the project site. • Ensure that any compacted areas are ripped to reduce run-off. • Open drains all interconnected will be provided on site. Increased solid waste generation • Use of an integrated solid waste management system i.e. through a hierarchy of options. • Accurate estimation of the sizes and quantities of materials required. • Ensure that construction materials left over at the end of construction will be used in other projects rather than being disposed off. Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures • Ensure that damaged or wasted construction materials are recovered for refurbishing and use in other projects. • Donate recyclable/reusable or residual materials to local community groups, institutions and individual local residents or home owners. • Use of durable, long-lasting materials that will not need to be replaced as often. • Provide facilities for proper handling and storage of construction materials. • Use building materials that have minimal or no packaging. Dust emission • Ensure strict enforcement of on-site speed limit regulations. • Avoid excavation works in extremely dry weathers. • Sprinkle water on graded access routes when necessary. • Personal Protective equipment to be worn. Exhaust emission • Vehicle idling time shall be minimized. • Sensitize truck drivers to avoid unnecessary racing of vehicle engines at loading/offloading points and parking areas, and to switch off or keep vehicle engines at these points. Noise and vibration • Sensitize construction vehicle drivers and machinery operators to switch off engines of vehicles or machinery not being used. • Sensitize construction drivers to avoid gunning of vehicle engines or unnecessary hooting. • Ensure that construction machinery are kept in good condition. • Ensure that all generators and heavy duty equipment are insulated or placed in enclosures to minimize ambient noise levels. • The noisy construction works will entirely be planned to be during day time. Increased energy consumption • Ensure electrical equipment, appliances and lights are switched off when not being used. • Install energy saving fluorescent tubes at all lighting points instead of bulbs which consume higher electric energy. • Monitor energy use during construction and set targets for reduction of energy use. High water demand • Promptly detect and repair of water pipe and tank leaks. • Ensure taps are not running when not in use. • Install a discharge meter at water outlets. • Sensitize staff to conserve water by avoiding unnecessary water use. Public health and occupational health and safety • Enforcing adherence to safety procedures and preparing contingency plan for accident response. • Provisions must be put in place for the formation of a Health and Safety Committee. • Medical examination of all construction employees before, during and after termination of employment. • Ensure that equipment and work task are adapted to fit workers and their ability including protection against mental strain. THE KENYA GAZETTE 27th September, 2019 3904 3904 Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures • All machines and other moving parts of equipment must be enclosed or guarded. • Equipments such as fire extinguishers must be examined by a government authorized person. • Arrangements must be in place to train and supervise inexperienced workers regarding construction machinery use and other procedures/operations. • Suitable efficient, clean, well-lit and adequate sanitary conveniences should be provided for construction workers. Insecurity • Body-search the workers on entry, to avoid getting weapons on site, and leaving site to ensure nothing is stolen. • Ensure only authorised personnel get to the site. • Security alarms will be installed. • Providing day and night security guards and adequate lighting within and around construction site. Loss of vegetation • Designate access routes and parking within the site. • Introduction of vegetation on open spaces and their maintenance. • Ensure proper demarcation and delineation of the project area to be affected by construction works. Road traffic disruption • Use of appropriate and legible signage. • Employment of formal flagmen/women in order to ensure public safety. • Suitable junction/access point to be provided. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Director–General, NEMA, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839–00200, Nairobi. (b) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, NHIF Building, Community, P.O. Box 30126–00100, Nairobi. (c) County Director of Environment, Nairobi City County. 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 of the plan. MAMBO B. MAMBO, Ag. Director-General, MR/6656403 National Environment Management Authority.