GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 3879

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, Urban Housing Renewal Development Llp is proposing to construct a residential development comprising of 1562 housing units (apartments), 1074 parking bays and other auxiliary facilities located on plot L.R No. Nairobi/Block 40/474 (formerly L.R. No. 209/4300/162) Pangani Estates, Nairobi County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Possible Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures Air Pollution, Noise Air Pollution and Vibration Pollution, Dust • Stockpiles of earth should be sprayed with Generation and water or cover during dry seasons. Exhaust Emissions . Buffer area of trees and other vegetation will serve as natural windbreaks. • All staff employed at the construction site and visitors must be provided with dust masks, surgical masks and other PPEs. • All raw materials where possible must be sourced as close as possible to the Possible Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures construction site thus reducing the emissions from vehicular traffic. • All waste must be transported off-site for processing, not burnt or stored for any longer than is absolutely necessary. • Machines must not be left idling for unnecessary periods of time. • Regular and prompt maintenance of construction machinery and equipment. This minimizes generation of hazardous gases. • Perform construction at times that persons are expected to be at work and school. • Implement a traffic system that involves appropriate signals and signs to ensure the smooth flow of traffic. • Monitor the air pollution levels regularly as per the Air Quality Regulations. • Noise and Vibration Pollution. • Install portable barriers to shield compressors and other small stationary equipment where necessary. • Put up signs to indicate construction noise generating areas. • Maintain all equipment. • Workers to be provided with noise safety and protective gear. • Silenced machinery and instruments should be employed to reduce the impact of noise on the existing neighbours and workers. • Equipment such as drills, graders and cement mixers should also be used when the least number of neighbours can be expected to be affected. • Schedule noisy activities concurrently during construction to reduce the exposure rate. • Those working with machinery, vehicles and instruments that emit high levels of noise should be provided with ear plugs and ear muffs. t The operation should he done during the day time 0800hrs to 1700hrs. • Comply with Noise and Vibration Control Regeletions. Dust pollution • Spray stock piles of earth with water. • Avoid pouring dust materials from elevated areas to ground. t Cover all trucks hauling soil, sand and other loose materials. • Provide dust screens where necessary• • Sepsitize workforce including drivers of construction vehicles. Exhaust emissions. • Vehicle idling time shall he minimized. Alternatively *lied construction equipment shall be used where feasible. t Equipment shall be properly serviced and maintained. 5th June, 2020 THE KENYA GAZETTE 2083 Possible Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures Soil erosion • Control earthworks. • Soil traps should be established where erosion is predetermined. • Introduce physical barriers such as racks to intercept soil material from being carried away by the run-off. • Avoid unnecessary movement of soil materials from the site. • Re-surface open areas on completion of the project and introduce appropriate vegetation. • Control over excavation works especially during rainy / wet conditions. • Leveling of the project site to reduce run-off velocity and increase infiltration of storm water into the soil. • Ensure management of excavation activities. • Utilize impervious material for areas that require paving. • Accommodate the average number of parking spaces. • Install drainage structures properly. • Ensure that the drainage plan proposed is implemented as stipulated on the plan. • Water Sources • Management of water usage. Avoid unnecessary wastage of water e.g. leaking taps. • Avail storage tanks. • Use of water bowlers and tankers to bring in water for construction activities i.e. during periods of high water demand (i.e. during slab formation): e Install watbt ttittaeoitag taps that ttitti-off automatically when water is not in Use. • Encourage water reuse/recycling during construction and occupation phases. • Harvesting of rain water during rainy season. Roof catchments of building blocks will 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. • Provide notices and information signs to sensitize on means and needs to conserve water resource i.e. "Keep/Leave the Tap Closed", etc. This will awaken the civic consciousness of the workers on site and residents with regard to water usage and management. • Drill a borehole that will provide an alternative source of water. • Store all raw materials away from the vicinity of water bodies. • General refuse generated during these phases of the development must be stockpiled in one central area of the development site, away from existing water bodies. • Clearance of vegetation must be avoided in periods of heavy rainfall to reduce the impact of runoff. Possible Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures • Conduct periodical water quality monitoring to ensure that standards are maintained. • Apply practices and use products that reduce the potential for contamination of ground water and surface water. • Ensure that all chemicals are properly stored in a specific location. Site Cleanliness and • Special attention shall be paid to the sanitary Sanitary Facilities facilities on site. • Ensure that water, soap and sanitizer are available on site. Garbage shall be disposed of periodically and segregated before disposal. Road Safety • Road signs next to facility. • Enforce speed limits for construction vehicles. Security • Guarding of sites/estates by a reputable security firm. • Constant site patrols. a Adequate screening of visitors to the site and a register of all on site. • Collaboration with the existing national and county government security machinery. • Partnership with neighbours and police in community policing. Occupational • Ensure proper solid waste disposal and Health and Safety collection facilities. • Ensure dustbin cubicles are protected from animals, rains and are well covered. • Proper handling and disposal of solid waste. • Provide suitable safety gear for all personnel. • Proper treatment of waste water. • All workers will be sensitized before construction begins on how to control accidents related to construction and Covid- 19 measures. • All moving parts of machine should be covered with suitable guards. • Keep accidents and incidents records. • Provide and enforce use of personal protective equipment, and train on occupational health. • Fire-fighting equipment and First aid kits should also be provided at the site. • Utilize "social distancing" by maintaining a 6-foot distance from other individuals on the site, especially enclosed spaces. It is advised to have no more than 10 individuals within an enclosed space. • Provide soap and running water on all jobsites for frequent hand washing. • Provide hand sanitizer when soap and running water are not available. • Clean and disinfect all common spaces and high-touch surfaces on jobsites and in offices including shared tools. • Construction activities must therefore be limited to the hours of 0800hrs to 1700hrs. Possible Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures Fire Hazards Accidents and • Fire-fighting equipment and First aid kits should be provided at the site and trained fire emergency responders on site. • Proper signage should be in place. • Sensitize workers on fire safety. • Provide and enforce use of personal protective equipment, and train on fire safety response measures. • No storage of flammables on site where possible. • Proper handling and use of tools and machinery Oil Leaks and Other • All machinery shall be keenly inspected not Leaks to leak oils on the ground. This will be ensured through regular maintenance. • All oils/grease and materials will be stored in a well secured store on the project site. • There will be proper disposal of oil handling materials such as drums, oily clothes/papers/materials and cans. • There will be safe disposal of oil spills and filters from the construction machineries. • Landscape the site by planting grass and trees at all disturbed areas. • Care for the trees/plants. • Retain vegetation screens to reduce the visual effect of this stage of the development. • Ensure that local building materials and muted colors are used to reduce the visual impacts of the development and the landscaping to hide it or blend in with the local environment. • Maintain all mature trees (trees > 25 cm) within the development where possible. • Incorporate as much local plants found within the area into the final landscaping of the property. • The developer should incorporate trees that are used by bird species for foraging to attract bird species to the area. • Persons from the nearby communities should be employed to work on the construction site. • Designate the roles and responsibilities of workers, which will enable a clear chain of command in the event of an accident and allows persons to be aware of their responsibilities in the event of such occurrences. • Place several fully equipped first aid kits on the project sites-. • Ensure that some workers are trained in basic first aid practices. • Signs must also be placed around the construction. site displaying the numbers of the person responsible for handling emergencies on the site. • Develop and implement a Health and Safety Training Manual for employees. • Identify a specific area on the project site for vending type activities. Vegetation Socio-economic Impacts Possible Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures • Purchase goods and supplies from suppliers within the area. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, NH IF Building, Community, P.O. Box 30126-00100, Nairobi. (6) Director-General, NEMA, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839-00200, 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 regarding this project. MAMO B. MAMO, Ag. Director-General, MR/0763283 National Environment Management Authority.