GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 3107

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, John Muikiria Waweru, proposes to develop 14No. Floors apartments block with a total of 377No. residential units (5No. of one bedroom and 372No. of studio apartments), gym, cafeteria, laundry/drying yard, associated facilities and amenities and will be located on Plot L.R. No. 76/955 along Thindigua Highway Street, Thindigua, Kiambu County. 1004 1004 The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Environmental Impacts Mitigation Measures General site management • Provide Environmental, Health and Safety training to workers to ensure that they understand the requirements of the environmental, health and safety management plans as applicable to their responsibilities. • Ensure that workers sign a code of conduct to observe established procedures and are well behaved towards the surrounding community. Visual and landscape management • Maintain as much as possible the natural drainage systems and patterns. • Preserve the existing natural vegetation as much as possible. • Ensure the protection of vegetation using any of the following methods: mark, flag or fence areas of vegetation to be preserved; designate limits of root systems (tree drip line); and locate construction traffic routes, spoil piles etc. away from existing vegetation. • Where possible, commence landscaping activities as soon superstructures are erected. • Set out a plan for re-vegetation of disturbed areas. • Prioritize indigenous trees and shrubs in the choice of plants. Air pollution, particle and dust emissions • 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. • Utilize vegetation, mulching, sprinkling and stone/gravel layering to quickly stabilize exposed soil. • Identify and stabilize primary entrances/exits prior to commencement of construction. • Direct construction vehicular traffic to stabilized roadways. • Maintain equipment and machinery to manufacturers’ specifications by regular servicing to maintain efficiency in combustion and reduce carbon emissions. • Use environmentally friendly fuels such as low Sulphur diesel. • Minimize the period for machinery idling. • Ensure that no burning of waste is done on site; and • Provide appropriate Personnel Protective Equipment such as dust masks to site workers. Energy demand and usage • Ensure the use of rated equipment in welding and related works. • Maintain equipment and machinery to manufacturers’ specifications by regular servicing to maintain efficiency in combustion and reduce carbon emissions. • Use environmentally friendly fuels such as Environmental Impacts Mitigation Measures low Sulphur diesel. • Minimize the period for machinery idling to save on fuel. • Specify and procure the most energy efficient plant options fit for purpose and avoid use of plant with unnecessary and excess capacity. Noise and vibrations management • Install portable hoods to shield compressors and other small stationary equipment where necessary. • Endeavour to use equipment installed with noise abatement devices as much as practicable. • Reduce idling time on trucks and other noisy equipment. • Encourage drivers to turn off vehicle engines when not in use and avoid unnecessary hooting/revving of engines. • Provide personal protective equipment such as ear muffs to workers at the site as necessary; and • Carry out construction work during the day only. No works shall be carried out on Sundays. Increased water demand • Close water taps when not in use. Repair broken pipes. • Ensure that water is used efficiently by avoiding extravagant water use and wastage. • Monitor water consumption and maintain records. • Harvest rain water wherever possible to supplement other sources of water. • Channel construction wastewater into temporary holding ponds to allow sedimentation before release in to the environment; and • Recycle and reuse construction wastewater wherever possible. Soil erosion • Salvage, stockpile and ensure re-use of native topsoil during re-vegetation activities in disturbed areas. • Identify fertile soil borrow-pits as close as possible to the project site. • Ensure re-vegetation of disturbed areas as soon as possible to prevent soil erosion. • Ensure that construction vehicles use predetermined tracks at the site to reduce ground compaction. • Utilize vegetation, mulching, sprinkling and stone/gravel layering to quickly stabilize exposed soil Utilize vegetation, mulching, sprinkling and stone/gravel layering to quickly stabilize exposed soil. • Identify and stabilize primary entrances/exits prior to commencement of construction. • Construction wastewater shall be channeled to a predetermined area such as a temporary holding pond where sedimentation can take place and reduce the amount of soil carried away in wastewater. • Oils, fuels, paints and any hazardous 10th March, 2023 THE KENYA GAZETTE Environmental Impacts Mitigation Measures materials to be stored in accordance with their respective MSDS’s, and in such a manner to avoid spillages or leakages. Bund walls should be constructed around these substances’ storage area so as to enable containment in the event of spillage or leakage. • Implement erosion and sedimentation controls and ensure proper disposal of liquid waste. Traffic management • Contractor shall ensure that construction traffic movement does not coincide with the known rush hours in the project area, and that speed and loading limits are observed. • Develop a traffic management plan to ensure that site vehicles do not interfere with the regular traffic on the access roads, or pose safety hazards to site workers or the general public. • Set up traffic control/warning signs along the access road near the site entrance informing other motorists of potential hazards of construction vehicles turning. Oil leakages and spills on the environment • Proper storage, handling and disposal of new oil and used oil and related wastes. • Maintain construction machinery and equipment to avoid leaks. • Maintenance of construction vehicles to be carried out in the contractor’s yard (off the site). • Provide oil interceptors along the drains leading from service bays. Solid waste management • Identify a temporary holding area for demolition and construction wastes. • Recycle and re-use demolition and construction waste as much as possible. • Ensure that all non-recyclable/reusable wastes are cleared from site at the earliest opportunity to avoid pile-up. • Avoid mixing excess concrete if possible. Discard excess concrete in a designated area. • Washing of concrete-coated vehicles/equipment off-site or in a designated area. The concrete wash area will be at least 50m away from storm drain inlets or open drainage facilities. Runoff from onsite concrete wash area shall be contained in a temporary pit where concrete can set. • Surface runoff within the site to be diverted in order to avoid flushing away soil and other material. Sediment traps to also be installed to remove sediments before discharge of the runoff from the site. • Establish measures to ensure that construction material requirements are carefully budgeted to avoid leftovers. Health and safety of workers • All workers will be sensitized before construction begins, on how to control accidents related to construction. • A comprehensive contingency plan will be prepared before construction begins, on accident response. • Keep record of the public emergency Environmental Impacts Mitigation Measures service telephone numbers including: Fire brigade, Ambulance. • Accordingly, adherence to safety procedures will be enforced. • Provide first aid kits at strategic places in the site. • All workers to wear protective gear during construction e.g. helmets. • Provide clean water and food to the workers. • Construction work will be limited to daytime only. • Workers to be adequately insured against accidents. Ensure that the workers are registered with NHIF and NSSF and remits appropriate fee. • Develop and implement a detailed and site- specific Emergency Response Plan. • Provide adequate sanitary facilities on site; and • Provide for first aid facilities as per the OSHA, 2007, and ensure that workers are trained on emergency response such as first aid skills. • Provide and clearly display emergency contacts on site. Raw materials extraction and use in construction • Source construction materials such as sand, ballast, quarry stones, and hard core from registered and approved quarries and sand mining firms. • Implement stringent inventory management mechanisms and only order for materials after a fairly accurate estimation of actual construction requirements; and • Manufacture building elements off-site where possible, and deliver to site. Increase generation of waste water • Connecting and channeling all liquid/effluent wastes to the existing sewerage system. • Provision of adequate sanitary facilities for the workers during construction 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. • Ensure regular maintenance of foul water drainage works at the premises to prevent clogging and fore-stall breakdowns. Surface run-off and storm water drainage • Semi permeable materials will be used for construction of pavements. • After completion of construction, the proponent shall embark on comprehensive landscaping. • Drainage channels shall be covered; say with gratings, to avoid occurrence of accidents and entry of dirt. • Construct gently sloping drains to convey water at non-erosive speed directing the storm water to the main drainage system in 1006 1006 Environmental Impacts Mitigation Measures the area. Fire outbreak risks occurrence, response and safety • “No smoking signs” where flammable materials are stored. • Hire 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 on handling firefighting equipment should be available through-out 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 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 a period of six months. • Maintain on site telephone contacts for fire brigade, G4S fire brigade and St. Johns ambulance service provider. Emergency and spread of social vice • To minimize project effects on local social set up; • The contractor shall ensure that there is adequate street lighting and a security guard within the site to help curb with issues that may arise from theft. Also installing 24hr operating CCTV surveillance, which will be monitored regularly. • It is recommended that the contractor employs workers from the immediate area where possible to avoid social conflict. • Conduct periodic sensitization forums for employees on ethics, morals, general good behavior and the need for the project to co- exist with the neighbors. • Offer awareness, guidance and counselling on HIV/AIDS and other STDs to employees. • Provide safety tools such as condoms to employees. • Ensure enforcement of relevant legal policy on sexual harassment and abuse of office. 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/4255039 National Environment Management.