GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 2097

PURSUANT to section 59 of the Environmental Management and Coordination Act, 1999, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has received an Environmental Impact Assessment Study Report for the above proposed project. The proponents, Royal Courtyard Limited and Mountain View Villas propose to develop a residential apartments of twenty one blocks with a total of 504No. units with of ground floor and five levels. Ten blocks will each have (24No. 2-bedroom) and Eleven blocks will each comprise of (24No. units 3-bedroom), 546 parking, club house, pool, turf pitch, associated facilities and amenities. The proposed project will be located L.R.No.12715/535 and 12715/536 (Amalgamated) off Syokimau Airport Road, Syokimau Area, Mavoko Sub-County, Machakos County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impact Mitigation Measures Destruction of Soil structure and ground profile. • Use of well-maintained and appropriate machinery and tools for site clearing and excavation works. • Compacting of loose soil in excavated areas. • Ensure management of excavation activities, especially during rainy conditions. • Provide soil erosion control measures to help in the management of surface run- offs during the construction phase. • Proper Landscaping of the site to be done after completion of construction works. Increased surface water run-offs • Provision of storm water trenches and drains on site. • All roof water and surface run-off water to be collected and stored in underground water reservoirs for re-use. • Proper and regular maintenance of the drainage systems. Soil erosion • Control excavation works especially during rainy/wet conditions. • The stockpiling of construction materials shall be properly controlled and managed. • Materials to be delivered on-site in instalments. • Provide soil erosion control measures i.e., suppressing open surfaces with water or use of soil erosion control structures on soil-erosion-prone areas within the site. • Avoid unnecessary excavations and other soil disturbances that can predispose it to the agents of erosion. • Avoid unnecessary movement of soil materials from the site. • Re-surface open areas on completion of the project and introduce appropriate vegetation. Impact Mitigation Measures • Leveling of the project site to reduce run- off velocity and increase infiltration of storm water into the soil. Fire risk • Post “No smoking signs” where flammable materials are stored. • Hire a competent and properly authorized electrical contractor to do the electrical works. • Train staff on the use of the available firefighting equipment. At least one person trained in handling firefighting equipment should be available throughout the construction phase of the project. • Conduct regular firefighting drills within the site. • Develop and post at the site fire emergency and evacuation procedures. • Provide an adequate number of appropriate firefighting equipment at accessible strategic places within the property. • Organize for inspection and maintenance of fire equipment at least once in six months. • Maintain on-site telephone contacts for the fire brigade and ambulance service provider. Air pollution • All trucks and any other mode of hauling soil sand and other loose materials to and from the site should be covered. • The site should be enclosed with dust- proof nets • Control speed of construction vehicles to reduce dust generation • Sprinkling of water on dry soils in excavated areas, pavements • Use of clean fuels for machines and equipment • Provide barriers such as walls and netting around site boundaries to provide some buffer against dust emissions (where applicable). • Encourage other people to either avoid or minimize coming to this site during construction works. • All pipes leading to the Septic Tank to have P-traps to prevent fowl air from the decomposing wastes coming back to the house. Occupational health and safety • All workers and visitors on site to use mandatory protective gear. • Unattended entry to the project site to be restricted. • Use of efficient and well-maintained machines to lift and transfer materials. • Removal of all dangerous materials that may pose a threat such as metal bars, wires, glass, and broken equipment. • Availing of fully equipped first Aid kitties to help address emergencies. • Warning signs to all users and visitors be placed at appropriate places. 680 680 Impact Mitigation Measures • Educate construction workers and tenants on health and safety risks and their prevention. Increased traffic • Ensure that the Entry/Exit to the project site is located where it will cause minimal traffic along adjacent roads. • Ensure all construction vehicles to and from the construction site use the designated Entry/Exit to the project site. • All transportation of construction raw materials and excavated materials are to be conducted at traffic off-peak hours only. • Sensitize truck drivers to avoid unnecessary road obstruction. • Cover all trucks hauling soil, sand, and other loose materials to avoid spillage and dust emissions that may interfere with smooth motoring. • “NO PARKING” signs will be posted around the building where Parking is prohibited and likely to cause obstruction as well as other necessary traffic signs. Increased solid waste generation • Ensure that all the solid waste management during the construction and operational phases of the project comply with the (Waste Management) Regulations of 2006. • Segregation of waste at the source during the project cycle. • Use of an Integrated Solid Waste Management System; through a hierarchy of options: source reduction, recycling, composting, and reuse, will facilitate waste handling during the operation/occupation phase. • Engage the services of registered waste handlers to collect and transport waste to designated disposal sites. • Provision of waste management rooms at strategic places within the development facility. • Efficient use of building material to reduce waste and recycling/reuse where feasible. Increased water demand • Construct water reservoirs and rainwater harvesting systems for conservation. • Use of tanker water for construction works. • Management of water usage for construction and reuse in lawns/gardens. • Recycling of water where possible. • Install water-conserving taps and turn off automatically when water is not being used. • Quick fixing of leaking taps and pipes to avoid wastage of water. • Never leave running taps on after use. Increased liquid waste generation • Connecting and channelling all liquid/effluent wastes to a waste treatment plant then releasing the treated waste to the existing stream. • Provision of adequate and appropriate sanitary facilities for the workers during Impact Mitigation Measures the construction phase and tenants during the operation phase of the facility. • Proper decommissioning of the sanitary facilities shall be carried out once construction is complete. • Sanitary facilities shall be kept clean always through regular cleaning. E.g. • Ensure regular maintenance of foul water drainage works at the premises to prevent clogging and fore-stall breakdowns. • The design of the internal wastewater system shall consider the estimated discharges from individual sources and the cumulative discharge of the entire project, that is, it will have the capacity to consistently handle the loads even during peak volumes. • All drain pipes passing under the building should be of heavy-duty PVC pipe tube encased in concrete surround. • All manholes should have heavy-duty covers set and double sealed airtight as approved by specialists. Noise pollution and excessive vibrations • Construction works shall be carried out only during the day from 0800hrs to 1700 hrs. • Noise shields shall be used on noisy equipment, such as corrugated iron sheet structures, to minimize exposure to the neighbours and other workers within the site. • The construction vehicles and machinery shall be switched off when not in use to reduce idling time. • All noisy activities shall be scheduled concurrently during the construction period to reduce the exposure period to the PAPs. • Equipment installed with noise abatement devices shall be used as much as practicable. • All machines and equipment shall be maintained regularly to reduce frictional noise. • All workers shall be trained and provided with PPEs such as helmets, earmuffs, dust masks, etc. which will be used at all times when operating within the site area. • Drivers delivering materials shall avoid unnecessary horning of the trucks/vehicles. • A billboard shall be erected at the construction site entrance to notify of the construction activities and timings. • Regular monitoring of noise levels at the site as per the regulations. Loss of habitat and biodiversity • Removal of only necessary vegetation where construction works will be carried out. • Landscaping of the site after construction by planting grass, and encouraging terrace gardening. Oil leaks and spills • All machinery shall be keenly inspected so as not to leak oils on the ground. This can be ensured through regular maintenance. 23rd February, 2024 THE KENYA GAZETTE Impact Mitigation Measures • Install oil trapping equipment in areas where there is a likelihood of oil spillage. • Maintenance will be carried out in a well- designed and protected area where oils/grease is completely restrained from reaching the ground. Such areas should be covered to avoid storms from carrying spilled oils into the soil/water systems. • All oils/grease and materials will be stored in a site’s store, in the contractor’s yard. • Proper disposal of oil-handling materials such as drums, oily clothes/papers/materials, and cans. • All drainage facilities shall be fitted with adequate functional oil-water separators and silt traps. • Collect the used oils and re-use, re-sell, or dispose of them appropriately using expertise from contracted licensed waste handlers. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Foresty, NHIF Building, 12th Floor, Ragati Road, Upper Hill, Upper Hill, P.O. Box 30126–00200, Nairobi. (b) Director General, NEMA, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839–00200, Nairobi. (c) County Director of Environment, Machakos County. A copy of the EIA report can be downloaded at www.nema.go.ke The National Environmental 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 for this project. Comments can also be e-mailed to dgnema@nema.go.ke MAMO B. MAMO, Director-General, MR/6186026 National Environment Management Authority.