GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 8202

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSSMENT STUDY REPORT FOR THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF MZEE HENRY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL ON PLOT L.R. NO. MUKUYU/KIMORORI/BLOCK IV/522, KENOL, MURANG’A COUNTY INVITATION OF PUBLIC COMMENTS Expected Negative Impacts Recommended Mitigation Measures High demand of raw material • Source building materials from local suppliers who use environmentally friendly processes in their operations. • Ensure accurate budgeting and estimation of actual construction material requirements to ensure that the least amount of material necessary is ordered. • Ensure that damage or loss of materials at the construction site is kept minimal through proper storage. Loss of Biodiversity • Retain trees where feasible and plant along perimeter; plant flower beds. Increased storm water, runoff and soil erosion • Surface runoff and roof water to be harvested and stored in underground reservoir for reuse. • A storm water management plan that minimizes impervious area infiltration by use of recharge areas and use of detention and/or retention with graduated outlet control structure will be designed. Increased solid waste generation • Use of an integrated solid waste management system i.e. through a hierarchy of options: 1. Source reduction 2. Recycling 3.Composting and reuse 4. Combustion 5. Sanitary land filling. • Through accurate estimation of the sizes and quantities of materials required, order materials in the sizes and quantities they will be needed, rather than cutting them to size, or having large quantities of residual materials. • Ensure that construction materials left over at the end of construction will be used in other projects rather than being disposed of. • Ensure that damaged or wasted Expected Negative Impacts Recommended Mitigation Measures construction materials including cabinets, doors, plumbing and lighting fixtures, marbles and glass will be recovered for refurbishing and use in other projects. • Donate recyclable/reusable or residual materials to local community groups, institutions and individual local residents or home owners. • Use of durable, long-lasting materials that will not need to be replaced as often, thereby reducing the amount of construction waste generated over time. • Provide facilities for proper handling and storage of construction materials to reduce the amount of waste caused by damage or exposure to the elements. • Use building materials that have minimal or no packaging to avoid the generation of excessive packaging waste. • Donate redundant but serviceable equipment to charities and institutions. Medical waste generation • Incorporate macerators to handle contaminated waste before flushing into the sewer system. • Have a contract with an approved medical waste handler to transport other medical waste such as sharps to an approved handling/treatment site or other medical institution such as Thika Level 5 Hospital. • Provide labelled and colour coded waste receptacles at the relevant generation sites. • Comply with the provisions of Environmental Management and Co- ordination (Solid Waste) Regulations, 2007. Liquid waste release into the environment • Provide adequate and safe means of handling liquid waste at the premises. • Conduct regular inspections for pipe blockages or damages and fix appropriately; maintenance of sewer system & quality testing of waste water. • Comply with the provisions of Environmental Management and Co- ordination (Water Quality) Regulations, 2006. • Ensure proper disposal of all wastes, so as not to contaminate water bodies; dilute and treat lab wash before disposal and conduct regular monitoring of its quality. • Adhere to MCG by-laws standards. Dust emission • Ensure strict enforcement of on-site speed limit regulations. • Avoid excavation works in extremely dry weathers. • Sprinkle water on graded access routes when necessary to reduce dust generation by construction vehicles. • Personal Protective equipment to be worn. Exhaust emission • Vehicle idling time shall be minimised. • Alternatively fuelled construction equipment shall be used where feasible equipment shall be properly tuned and maintained. 5460 5460 Expected Negative Impacts Recommended Mitigation Measures • Sensitise truck drivers to avoid unnecessary racing of vehicle engines at loading/offloading points and parking areas, and to switch off or keep vehicle engines at these points. Noise and vibration • Sensitise construction vehicle drivers and machinery operators to switch off engines of vehicles or machinery not being used. • Sensitise construction drivers to avoid gunning of vehicle engines or hooting especially when passing through sensitive areas such as churches, residential areas and schools. • Ensure that construction machinery are kept in good condition to reduce noise generation. • Ensure that all generators and heavy duty equipment are insulated or placed in enclosures to minimize ambient noise levels. • The noisy construction works will entirely be planned to be during day time when most of the neighbours will be at work. Increased energy consumption • Switch off electrical equipment, appliances and lights when not being used. • Install occupation sensing lighting at various locations such as the parking areas and washrooms. • Install energy saving lights at all lighting points within the building instead of bulbs which consume higher electric energy. • Monitor energy use during the operation of the project and set targets for efficient energy use, including consumption audits. • Sensitise workers and hospital workers to use energy efficiently. High water demand • Promptly detect and repair of water pipe and tank leaks. • Ensure taps are not running when not in use. • Install a discharge meter at water outlets to determine and monitor total water usage. Water management • Promptly detect and repair of water pipe and tank leaks. • Staff and visitors to conserve water e.g. by avoiding unnecessary wastage. • Ensure taps are not running when not in use. • Install water conserving taps that turn-off automatically when water is not being used (Automatic push and pull type). • Install a discharge meter at water outlets to determine and monitor total water usage. Security • Ensure the general safety and security at all times by providing day and night security guards and adequate lighting within and around the premises. • Monitor CCTV cameras. Health and safety impacts • Suitable overalls, safety footwear, dust masks, gas masks, respirators, gloves, ear protection equipment etc should be made available and construction personnel must Expected Negative Impacts Recommended Mitigation Measures be trained to use the equipment. • Implement all necessary measures to ensure health and safety of workers, patients, visitors and the general public during construction of project as stipulated in OSHA 2007; Covid-19 protocols should this be necessary in the future. • Safe handling of HCW; Good housekeeping , PPE use. • Training of staff on use of MSDs (for tissue preservatives in lab – formaldehyde and benzene). • Well stocked first aid box which is easily available and accessible should be provided within the premises. • Provision must be made for persons to be trained in first aid, with a certificate issued by a recognised body. Fire protection • Firefighting equipment such as fire extinguishers and horse rills should be provided at strategic locations such as stores and construction areas. • Regular inspection and servicing of the equipment must be undertaken by a reputable service provider and records of such inspections maintained. • Signs such as “NO SMOKING” must be prominently displayed within the premises, especially in parts where inflammable materials are stored. • External and safe storage of gas with requisite warning signs. Air, soil, groundwater and surface water bodies contamination • Construct appropriate peripheral surface drainage system around the machinery workshop to control surface run-off by diverting all storm water and prevent it from contamination with oil effluent. Decontamination of soil • Scoop any contaminated soils from the site, then stack in drums for decontamination/disposal at a designated incinerator. Site degradation • Implement an appropriate re-vegetation programme to restore the site to its original status. • Consider use of indigenous plant species in re-vegetation. • Trees should be planted at suitable locations so as to interrupt slight lines (screen planting), between the adjacent area and the development. 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, Murang’a 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 8th July, 2022 THE KENYA GAZETTE 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/3822665 National Environment Management Authority.