GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 18344

PURSUANT to Section 59 of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act CAP 387, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has received an Environmental Impact Assessment Study Report for the above proposed project. The proponent, Kenya Railways Corporation, proposes to regenerate and redevelop the Nairobi Central Station (NCS) site into a new iconic city Centre development that will improve accessibility and capacity of the railway for all passengers. The central station will entail the following facilities: 2 level buildings, Station entrance and exits, platforms and canopies, access foot bridges, associated facilities and amenities in Nairobi County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Potential Impacts Mitigation Measures/Controls Noise and vibration (nuisance/ annoyance and stress; structural damage, cracks, and settlement) • Implement a regular noise survey program to document noise levels. • Maintain equipment and machinery including brakes, mufflers, catalysers, and silencers in good running condition. • Prohibit idling of vehicles on site or near sensitive receptors. Potential Impacts Mitigation Measures/Controls • Generators and machinery should be shut down when not in use. • Drivers’ sensitization on noise reduction measures. • Equip the compressors and generators used on site with an acoustic enclosure, a noise barrier or placing them in a soundproof box. • The contractor will undertake quantitative measurements as a means of monitoring. • The contractor to undertake baseline condition assessment of building structures near project construction area. Biodiversity: Flora and Fauna (loss of habitat) • Contractor to develop a long-term biodiversity landscape enhancement management plan. • Minimize/ avoid removal of existing vegetation. • Implement habitat restoration (landscaping in this case) to compensate for any habitat loss and enhance vegetation cover. Waste generation and Management (soil and water contamination; littering; health and safety hazards) • Reduce generation through properly estimation and planning for material quantities. • Practice and promote waste segregation to enhance re-use. • Appropriate disposal of generated waste. • Good housekeeping practices. • Contractor to have and practice waste management strategies aligned to the project waste management plan that includes waste minimization strategies segregation, and recycling options. • Store hazardous materials in secure containers and properly label them to prevent spills and leaks. • Implement spill containment systems and provide spill response kits. • Provide designated waste collection areas with appropriate bins and containers for workers to dispose of waste properly. • Regularly inspections & audits to monitor waste. • Engaging a NEMA licensed waste handler(s) for the various waste categories, whose performance should be monitored by tracking to ensure quantities collected are delivered at the designated disposal facilities/ sites. Air Quality (pollution dust and emissions; potential health hazards) • Minimize equipment, machinery, trucks, and Vehicles idling time. • Maintenance of vehicles, equipment and machinery for combustion efficiency and reduced emissions. • Limit vehicle and machinery speed within the work site to minimize dust generation. • Watering of active sections to limit excessive dust emissions. • Trucks transporting fine granular (sand) material are equipped with a tarpaulin to cover the material. 9044 9044 Potential Impacts Mitigation Measures/Controls • Drop granular material as close to the ground possible to reduce generation of airborne particles. • Contractor to implement an ambient air quality monitoring program to verify construction-related emission levels, identify the main sources, and develop potential actions for improvement. Water Resources (consumption/ usage and potential pollution risks) • Awareness/ sensitization sessions among project workers on conservation measures. • Design includes use of water-saving devices, fixtures and technologies such as ultra-low-flush toilets and water saving taps. • Design includes rainwater harvesting to compliment municipal water supply. • Design includes treatment and recycling of Wastewater (greywater) for irrigation purposes. • Contractor to prepare a sustainable storm water management plan within the public realm. • Contractor to develop a flood risk management plan. Soil Resources (pollution from spillages of hazardous substances; and erosion) • Temporary runoff and erosion control measures/management at the site. • Good practices in handling and use of hazardous substance e.g., spillage kits, remedial measures/plans for spillage clean- up. • Conducting of construction equipment and vehicles to regular inspections and maintenance of construction equipment and vehicles to prevent leaks or spills of hazardous substances. • Adhering to environmental regulations and guidelines to ensure responsible construction practices that minimize impacts on surface water resources. Energy Resources (overall increase in consumption) • Sensitization of workers/ employees on energy Conservation measures during construction and operation. • Enhancement – KRC to consider solar power panels in future phases of the program. • Minimize as much as possible electric loads created by mechanical equipment. • Employ use of non-ozone depleting refrigerants. • Domestic Pumps shall be equipped with variable speed drives. • Heat pumps shall have COP greater than 3. • Cooling System Efficiency: Air conditioning units shall have COP greater than 3. • Fans shall be equipped with variable frequency drives. • Cooling systems to be equipped with sub- meters. • Air conditioning systems to be equipped with low impact refrigerants, e.g., R 32. Existing land uses/ ownership (Disenfranchiseme nt of Businesses and loss of land) • KRC to undertake and implement ARAP/ livelihood restoration plan (LRP) prior impact. • Affected business (current tenants) could be prioritized in the allocations of retail space as applicable. Potential Impacts Mitigation Measures/Controls In-migration/Influx of Labour and/or People (strain on local social dynamics; increased crime rates and illicit behaviour; social conflicts; risk of spread of communicable diseases; unethical exploitation of the local community and workforce, discrimination in employment of locals, poor working conditions) • Contractor should establish local employment targets to maximize local employment. • Worker’s sensitization on good behaviour, including signing the project code of conduct. • Contractor to adhere to labour/ employment legal & regulatory requirements. • Develop a comprehensive STDS, HIV/AIDs control programme. • Creation and provision of STDs, HIV and AIDS awareness and prevention measures. • Employ people within the work locality to prevent influx from people in other areas • Contractor to prepare a SEP. • Contractor to develop and implement a grievance redress and resolution mechanism. Traffic inconveniences and related Safety Concerns (delays especially at the access point and increased risk of accidents) • Determination and strategic location of an access and egress points to allow “quicker” entry/exit to minimize potential delays. • Contractor will undertake an assessment to determine appropriate routes (based on source of construction materials/components) that considers traffic volumes, timing/avoiding peak hours, availability of parking area in case of unexpected high traffic volumes among others. • Contractor will identify, train and strategically station traffic marshals to guide/ assist traffic movement at and within site. Safety and Health (injuries/ accidents to workers and community; damage to exiting underground utilities) • Comply with the OSHA, 2007 and all other relevant regulations governing health and safety. • Access to the construction sites shall be controlled to prevent access by unauthorized personnel. • Provide for appropriate signage and warnings in work areas. • Contractor to undertake risk assessment based on specific activities and develop control measures informed by the hierarchy of controls to safeguard workers safety. • Continuous education on Safety, Health, and environment issues. • Contractor to have qualified first aid personnel and maintain fully stocked first aid kits at the sites. • Provision and maintenance of hygiene and sanitation facilities. • Drain and restore open pits to reduce incidence of disease vector breeding sites. • Provision of adequate and appropriate PPE. • Provision of safety barriers and signage, regular inspections to identify and address potential hazards. • Implement engineering controls, such as noise barriers and sound-insulated equipment, and providing hearing 11th December, 2025 THE KENYA GAZETTE Potential Impacts Mitigation Measures/Controls protection can help mitigate the impact of noise on occupational health. • The Contractor should develop and implemen detailed and site-specific Occupational Health Safety Management Plan (OHSMP) and Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan. • Underground utilities survey and relocation prior any intrusive/ underground works. Cultural Heritage (exposure to vibration & dust; alterations loss of their historic significance or architectural/aesthe tic value, archaeological discovery) • Implementation of detailed CHMP developed by proponent. • A site-specific CHMP that contains a program of works will be developed by the contractor. • Use of dust suppressants such as water or dust binders. • KRC will submit the As-Built drawings and specifications to NMK for review and approval as they are mandated to preserve all heritage buildings. • Where damage or loss of assets is inevitable, to preserve the heritage items, the Cultural Heritage. • Management Implementation team shall record the loss/change in form of photographs/pictures, videos and documentation and preserve them to ensure the history is not lost or forgotten. • Use of sustainable and durable construction material, designs, and techniques towards protection against damage by environmental and biological factors. • Reduce vibration by limiting construction activities to daytime and not near to weak historic fabric prior to this being stabilised. • Develop procedures for identification and protection of cultural and archaeological assets. • Create awareness among workers on how to identify, handle and report cultural heritage items. • Protect cultural heritage buildings by obtaining approvals on alterations of building plans from NMK. • Report any archaeological discover to relevant Authorities such as NMK. Asbestos Containing Materials (health risks during removal and disposal) • Adherence to KRC internal program/guidelines in the management of ACM. Local Resources (depletion/ pressure on natural resources) • The contractor will undertake due diligence of construction material sources. • Contractor to undertake quantitative assessment for accurate quantities required. • Contactor to adopt construction methods that minimize wastage. • Use of quality and durable materials to minimize replacement in operation phase. Greenhouse Gas (climate change effects) • Identify/ locate construction materials sources. • Close as possible to the project site and vice versa for spoils. Potential Impacts Mitigation Measures/Controls • Contractor to consider extraction processes to use efficient equipment that optimize output vis a vis the energy consumed. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Director-General, NEMA, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839–00200, Nairobi. (b) County Director of Environment, Nairobi City County. A copy of the EIA report can be downloaded at www.nema.go.ke The National Environmental Management Authority, invites members of the public to submit oral or written comments within thirty (30) days from the date of this publication to the Director- General, NEMA to assist the Authority in the decision making process for this project. Kindly quote ref. No. NEMA/ENVIS/SR/0064. Comments can also be e-mailed to dgnema@nema.go.ke MAMO B. MAMO, SO5695 Director-General.