GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 6953

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, Best View Holdings Limited, is proposing to construct a student hostel on plot L.R. No. 209/8904 in Parklands area, Nairobi City County. The proposed development will comprise of 258 bed capacity housing units and associated ancillary. The project is divided into two blocks that can be accessed independent of each other through elevators. The development will aim at providing habitable student housing infrastructure and/or increase the utility of the land in the area. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Possible Impacts Mitigation Measures Dust emission • Watering all active construction areas as and when necessary to lay dust. • Cover all trucks hauling soil, sand and other loose materials or require all trucks to maintain at least two feet of free board. • Pave, apply water when necessary, or apply (non-toxic) soil stabilizers on all unpaved access roads, parking areas and staging areas at construction sites. • Sweep daily (with physical sweepers) all paved access roads, parking areas and staging areas at construction sites. • Cover construction site with hessian cloth/ scaffolding netting to contain the dust within the premises and plant trees around the site upon construction completion. Noise • Use of noise suppressors or silencers on noisy equipment or noise shields i.e. corrugated iron sheet structures. • Construction works should be carried out only during the specified time i.e. from say 0800hrs to 1700 hrs. During this time of the day a majority people are away and also the outside environment is noisy. • Machineries should be maintained regularly to reduce noise resulting from friction. • Workers should be provided with suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as earmuffs when operating noisy machinery and when in noisy environment. 17th June, 2022 THE KENYA GAZETTE Possible Impacts Mitigation Measures • Drivers delivering materials should avoid unnecessary horning of the trucks/vehicles. • Provision of a bill board at the construction site/gate notifying of the construction activity and timings. • Drivers to switch off vehicle engines while offloading materials. Flora and fauna • Propose restoration programs early such as. Landscaping and rehabilitation proposals and their role in mitigating impacts for the affected areas. • Manage the introduced vegetation on completion of the development to restore or improve the site. • Landscaping as proposed in the designs should be done by specialists. Soil erosion • Provide soil erosion control measures for instance, 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. • Control over excavation works especially during rainy/wet conditions. • Re-surface open areas on completion of the project and introduce appropriate vegetation. Oil leaks and spills • All machinery should be keenly inspected not to leak oils on the ground. This can be ensured through regular maintenance. • Maintenance should be carried out in a well- designed and protected area and where oils/grease is completely restrained from reaching the ground. Such areas should be covered to avoid storm from carrying away spilled oils into the soil/water systems. • All oils/grease and materials should 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. Solid waste • Efficient use of building material to reduce waste and recycling where possible. • Engage the services of registered waste handlers to transport waste to designated disposal sites. • Use of an integrated solid waste management system; through a hierarchy of options: source reduction, recycling, composting and reuse, will facilitate waste handling during occupation phase. • Provision for dustbin cubicles. • Segregation of waste at the source. • To manage waste in line with the Environmental Management and Co- ordination (Waste Management) Regulations, 2006. Public health and safety • Workers will require using properly fitting personal protective equipment (PPE) to avoid injuries and illness. Possible Impacts Mitigation Measures • A First Aid Kit should be provided within the site and during construction phase. • Adapt a suitable emergence response plan to manage occurrence of anticipated hazards during construction phase. • Safety awareness may be gained through regular safety meetings, safety training or personal interest in safety and health. • The contractor should have Workmen’s compensation cover. It should comply with Workmen’s Compensation Act, as well as other ordinances, regulations and union agreements. • Sanitary facilities should be provided; and maintain standard cleanliness of the facilities. • Local individuals preparing food for the workers at the site should be controlled, monitored, and evaluated to ensure that food is hygienically prepared. • Workers should always be sensitized on social issues such as drugs, alcohol, diseases such as HIV/AIDS and STIs. • Ensure provision of safe drinking water for the workers on site. Insecurity • The project site should be enclosed using suitable walls to beef-up security and to control movement within the site. • There should be guard houses at the gate. Security guards should always monitor the gate of the facility to keep away the intruders and to control movement within the site. • Contractor should provide adequate security during the construction period when there are no works on the site. • The guards stationed at the gates should document movements in and out of the site/property. Increased energy demand • Turn off machinery and equipment when not in use. • Put off all lights immediately when not in use or are not needed. • Use energy conserving electric lamps for general lighting. • Make use of alternative source of energy such as solar power. Increased water demand • Drill a borehole to supply water for the development in both construction and occupation phase. • The contractor should use water bowsers and tankers to bring in water for construction activities such as during periods of high-water demand. • Install water conserving taps that turn-off automatically when water is not in use. • Encourage water reuse/recycling during construction and occupation phases. • Roof catchments of building blocks should be provided with rainwater harvesting systems (gutters, down pipes and water storage facilities) to enhance collection and storage of the resulting run-off. Such water can be used in watering flower gardens, general cleaning, etc. 3506 3506 Possible Impacts Mitigation Measures • Provide notices and information signs to sensitize on means and needs to conserve water resource for instance Keep/Leave the Tap Closed. Fire • Hire competent and properly authorized electrical contractor to do the wiring and other electrical works. • Install fire alarm system for entire project. • Install smoke detectors in kitchens. • Installation of firefighting equipment following County Fire requirements. • Conduct regular firefighting drills within the site. • Develop and adapt an (fire) emergency response plan for the project during construction and occupation stage. • Ensure that all firefighting equipment are regularly maintained and serviced. • Provide fire hazard signs such as ‘No Smoking’ sign, Direction to exit in case of any fire incidence and emergency numbers. 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, Nairobi City 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/3883521 National Environment Management.