GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 2616

PURSUANT to section 59 of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act, 1999, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has received an Environmental Impact Assessment Study Report for the above proposed project. The proponent, VersaVista Ventures Limited proposes to develop a 502,546 M2 (mixed-use development) consisting of 140No. hospital beds, 204No. hotel rooms and 1,631No. residential units (420No. one bedroom, 296No. two bedroom, 451No. three bedroom and 464No. four bedroom), mall, school, mosque and library, other associated amenities and facilities on Plot L.R. No. Nairobi/Block 103/3031 situated along Popo Road in South C, South C Ward, Langata Sub- county, Nairobi City County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impacts Mitigation Measures Soil erosion • Install drainage structures to control flow of storm water. • Ensure and management of excavation activities. Loss of vegetation • Only area earmarked for development should be cleared. • Plant trees, shrubs and flowers on remaining open spaces. Changes in hydrology/ impended drainage/deep excavations • Proper Installation of drainage structures. • Install cascades to break the impact of water flowing in the drains. • Ensure efficiency of drainage structures through proper design and maintenance. • Provide gratings to the drainage channels. • A geotechnical survey shall be conducted and the recommendations thereof followed. There shall be no blasting during excavation. • A methodology for excavation has been generated as required by NCA. THE KENYA GAZETTE 28th February, 2025 Impacts Mitigation Measures Air pollution • Cover all trucks hauling soil, sand and other loose materials. • Avoid open air burning of waste such as paper and plastic containers at the construction site. • Onsite dirt piles or other stockpiled material should be covered, wind breaks installed, water and/or soil stabilizers employed to reduce wind-blown dust emissions. • All workers at the construction site and visitors exposed to dusty conditions must be provided with dust masks and other PPEs. • Institute appropriate dust suppression measures such as regular sprinkling of water on dusty access roads; speed limits; etc. Noise pollution • Comply with EMCA Noise Pollution and Excessive Vibration Regulations, 2009. • Carryout regular monitoring of noise levels during construction phase. • Construction work to be confined to between 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. • All workers shall be trained and provided with PPEs such as helmets, earmuffs, and dust mask which will always be used when operating within the site area. • Safety signage shall be erected at the construction site entrance to notify of the construction activities and timings. Occupational safety and health • Register the construction site with Department of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS). • Comply with applicable Labour Laws such as the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007; the Work Injury Benefits Act, 2007. Public health, occupational health and safety • Train staff/workers on occupational health and safety. • Provide full protective gear and workmen’s compensation cover in addition to the right tools and operational instructions and manuals during construction. • Design of sewerage system should be as provided in the plans and should be constructed to approved size and design, standard and of approved materials. • Ensure use of standard construction materials and to the specifications. Avoid undesirable, substandard, hazardous or unauthorized materials during construction and maintenance. • Sensitized staff on social/health issues such as drugs. Road traffic disruption • The movement of construction vehicles shall not be undertaken during peak morning and afternoon traffic times so as to avoid causing an impact on the other road users in the locality i.e., 7.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.). • All the construction vehicles will enter the construction site and not occupy the nearby roads. • A clear demarcated of a foot path and cyclist lane should be provided within the construction zone, with warning signs, information signs and barriers be placed to guide the NMT along safe passage zones. • The speed limit on the Site and access roads shall be 10 km/h for construction vehicles and 20 km/h for light vehicles and passenger vehicles. Impacts Mitigation Measures • Install warning signage indicating the presence of truck turning to and from construction site along Popo Road at the project access roads as well as adequate warning signages within the construction zones to demarcate motorized and non-motorized traffic. • All project vehicles shall have valid roadworthy certificates, insurances and licenses. Insecurity and social impacts • Provision of security guards, CCTV cameras, security lights and other security apparatus during the entire project cycle. • Construction work timings shall only in line with the NEMA licensing conditions. Increased water usage • An alternative water source shall be provided. The proponent shall drill a borehole at the proposed site. • Management of water usage. Avoid unnecessary wastage. • Recycling of water at the construction phase where possible. • Make use of roof catchments to provide water i.e. for general purpose. Increased generation of waste • Comply with EMCA Waste Management Regulations, 2006. • Provision for waste receptacles/bins at strategic places within the site. • Provision of bins to handle biomedical waste. • Segregation of waste at the source during the project cycle. • Use of an Integrated Solid Waste Management System (ISWMS); through a hierarchy of options: source reduction, recycling, composting and reuse, will facilitate waste handling during operation/occupation phase. 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 e-mailed to dgnema@nema.go.ke MAMO B. MAMO, Director-General, MR/6531079 National Environment Management.