GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 1315

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, National Housing Corporation, proposes to put up affordable housing development that will have a total of 400 units. It will comprise of 120 no. of bedsitters (4 no. of blocks), 140 no. of one bedroom units (7 no. of blocks), 140 no. of two bedroom units (7 no. of blocks) and associated facilities and amenities on Plot L.R. No. Homa Bay Municipality Block 1/839 within Homa Bay Municipality of Homa Bay County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impacts Mitigation Measures Fire risk • Installation of a fire safety system – appropriate fire extinguishers, fire hose reel connection points and fire hydrants inter alia as necessarily. • Fire fighting water reservoir/tank be put in place and be filled with water at all times. Biodiversity loss • Clear the unused materials from the site at the end of the construction phase to allow for the regeneration of vegetation. • Restore land through appropriate landscaping. • Employ appropriate soil conservation measures to reduce the erosion effect. Risk of land degradation • Excavation to be done immediately before construction instead of leaving soil exposed for extended time (months/years). • Control concentrate flow and run-off to reduce the volume and velocity of water from work sites. Noise and excessive vibrations pollution • Provide the workers with appropriate and sufficient Personal Protective equipments (PPEs). • Ensure that all vehicles and machinery are well serviced. • Avoid blasting methods during decommissioning unless it is absolutely necessary. Risk of air pollution • Provide the workers with appropriate and sufficient Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs). • The contractor to put in place mechanism to regulate the speed at which vehicles move to reduce the dust emission. • Water the site where/when necessary at least twice a day to reduce the propagation of dust. • Machinery used during the construction be adequately maintained to reduce exhaust fumes emission and pollution. Occupational safety and health • Provide appropriate PPEs for use by workers and enforce their use. • Provide adequate fully stocked first aid kits at the site and designate trained first aiders. • Have an incident(s)/accident(s) register at the construction site. • Provide relevant emergency signage at the site, adequate lighting and barriers where Impacts Mitigation Measures need be. • The contractor obtains WIBA insurance for construction workers at the construction site. • The housing units design should incorporate anti slip and fall flooring. • Undertake capacity building and training of staff/workers with respect to Occupational Health, Safety, and Environment. Negative social impacts • Create awareness and sensitization on matters HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases. • Adoption and utilization of the ‘Nyumba Kumi’ within the proposed project to increase cohesion within the project especially during project operation phase. • Formation of resident’s association to organize community within the proposed project to articulate the resident common issues. Water pollution/ liquid waste generation • No construction camps to be put within 50 m of drainage line and standing water source. • No mixing of concrete should be done within 50m of a watercourse. • All fuel storage should be appropriately bunded. • Provide adequate and appropriate ablutions facilities for construction worker. • All effluent be channeled and contained within the effluent management systems. • Surface runoff water shall not mix with the effluent and should be channeled appropriately to run off drains. • Regular maintenance, and prompt repair of the sewer system and run-off drains. • The proponent shall apply for authorization from HOMAWASCO for connection to the public trunk sewer line. • Develop an Effluent Discharge Control Plan (EDCP) for the operation of the proposed project during operation phase. Traffic impacts • Strategically erect warning/informative signs to show the working hours. • Develop and implement a traffic management plan. • Ensure adherence to Homa Bay County government traffic by-laws and Kenya traffic laws. Solid waste generation • Provide segregation bins and skips for waste generated to facilitate salvaging, recycling, reusing, and disposal of material/waste. • Ensure that waste collection areas are kept neat, clean, and clearly marked. • Contract a NEMA registered licensed waste handler to collect and timely dispose off the wastes at NEMA designated sites. • Provide the residents with NEMA approved plastic waste bags on regular basis; the bags should be branded bags and color-coded during operation phase to facilitate proper waste collection. Increase energy consumption and demand • If feasible install and use of solar power for street and common area lighting. • Installations of energy-efficient. 3rd February, 2023 THE KENYA GAZETTE Impacts Mitigation Measures • Design large window for natural lighting and ventilation to reduce energy cost. Increased water demand and consumption • Provide water storage tanks in case of interrupted water supply. • If feasible undertake roof water harvesting. • Putting in place a leak detection mechanism like regular checks and routine maintenance will help save considerable amounts of water. • The development housing units be fitted with water-efficient fitting and installations. 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, Homa Bay 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/4257936 National Environment Management.