GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 6493

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, Tumaini International Trust Registered Trustees proposes to develop a level IV hospital with auxiliary services. The development will be a two storey building which comprises of ground floor (casualty, admission and minor surgery room), first floor (delivery room, recovery room and nurse station), second floor (female ward, male ward, changing rooms, and pediatrics wards), other supporting amenities and associated facilities. The project will be located on plot L.R. No. Masii/Mbaani/452 in Masii, Mwala Sub- county, Machakos County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impacts Mitigation Measures Air pollution and exhaust emissions • Spray of water during construction work. • Use of low-sulphur diesel for diesel- operated machinery. • Sensitize truck drivers to avoid unnecessary racing of vehicle engines at loading/offloading points and parking areas. Switch off vehicle engines at these points. • Covering all trucks hauling soil, sand and other loose materials and/or require these trucks to maintain at least two feet of freeboard. • The project area will be cordoned off to minimise dust migration to nearby facilities by wind. • Staff working in dust generating activities e.g. site preparation, excavation, concrete mixing, stone dressing should be provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) the use of PPE shall be enforced. • Construction equipment will be maintained in good operating condition to reduce exhaust emissions. Noise pollution and excessive vibration • Sensitize construction drivers to avoid gunning of vehicle engines or hooting especially when passing through sensitive areas such as residential areas and schools. • Planning the construction work to take place only during the day when the neighbours are also at work. • Sensitize construction vehicle drivers and machinery operators to switch off engines of vehicles or machinery not being used. • Providing ear protective devices to prevent high frequency noise emitted by the high frequency machines during construction phase. • Ensure that all generators and heavy duty equipment are insulated or placed in enclosures to minimize ambient noise levels. • Posting notices at the construction site informing the public of the construction activities, time and day. Clearing of vegetation and disturbance of soil structure • Maintaining of grass around the site. • Put soil traps around perimeter fence and on steep areas. • Landscaping with ornamental trees and grass planting. • Maintaining specified routes for construction vehicles. • Control earthworks. Soil erosion • Apply soil erosion control measures. 19th May, 2023 THE KENYA GAZETTE Impacts Mitigation Measures • Ensure good landscaping to facilitate water percolation. Generation of solid waste • Strictly abide by the provisions of the Environmental Management Coordination (Waste Management) Regulations Legal Notice 120. • Provide facilities for proper handling and storage of construction materials to reduce the amount of waste caused by the damage or exposure to the elements. • Waste, including excavated soil and debris should be properly disposed of by backfilling and landscaping. • Incorporate suitable facilities for collection, segregation and safe disposal of solid wastes such as bins, placenta pits etc. • Ensure a continuous review of waste management procedures with changing technology and regulatory changes. • Pharmaceutical waste should be disposed of properly as per the Waste Regulations, 2006. • All hazardous waste should be handled and managed as per the Waste Regulations. Infectious, genotoxic wastes and sharps (including haematological waste, laboratory waste, human tissues etc) should be incinerated in a standard medical waste incinerator (on-site). • The proponent should work hand in hand with private refuse handlers and the county government to facilitate sound waste handling, and disposal from the site. All wastes must be taken to the approved dumpsites. • Train involved stakeholders on the importance and means of waste management and handling. Generation of waste water • Explore installation of a suitable wastewater treatment system. • Monitoring of the effluent to ensure compliance and remedial action. • Waste management installations should be isolated from public water pipes to avoid contamination of the later. • The trunk must be regularly monitored to avoid overfilling and overflowing. They must be checked regularly to monitor level of effluent and efficiency. • Random laboratory tests for the wastewater should be conducted for adherence to Water Regulation of 2006. Increased demand for water and electricity • Management of water usage. • Construct water reservoirs and rainwater harvesting systems. • Provide notices and information signs to the involved stakeholders on means and needs to conserve water resource. • Install energy saving bulbs at all lighting points instead of bulbs which consume higher electric energy. • Design to provide for adequate natural lighting. • The proponent shall install a standby generator. Impacts Mitigation Measures Fire hazards and accidents • Conduct training on fire fighting, evacuation and emergency response. • Maintain/service firefighting machinery regularly. • Install an automatic fire alarm system for the entire project; • Provide appropriate Fire Hydrant Ring main with suitable outlet points. • All installation to follow Fire Masters requirements approval. • Provide fire hazard signs such as ‘No Smoking’ signs, direction to exit in case of any fire incidence and emergency contact numbers should be provided as well as the assembly points. Increase in traffic flow • Set driving speed limits. • Adequate road warning signs to traffic regulations. Insecurity • The hospital should be enclosed using suitable walls to beef-up security and to control movement within. • Security guards must always guard the gate to the facility to keep away the intruders and to control movement within and create order. • Lighting as well as security alarms should be installed in strategic positions all over the buildings. Public health and safety • Ensure adherence with the legal requirements of OSHA Act, 2007. • Sensitize workers on occupational safety and health. • Provide properly fitting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) depending on tasks being performed to avoid injuries and illness. • Practical and very high standards must be set for handling and management of hazardous substances from procurement, handling, use and disposal. Information on potential hazards should be made available from Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) provided by manufacturers or vendors. • Only specialised machine operators should operate machinery and specialised equipment. • Properly design to allow for deceleration and acceleration to the hospital. • Internal driveways should also be erected with bumps to control speed and thus reduce potential accidents. • Adapt effective emergency response plans throughout all the phases. • Sanitary facilities should be provided (for each sex where conditions warrant). Standard cleanliness of the facilities should be maintained. • Hospital staff preparing food for the workers and patients should be examined and issued with a food handler’s certificate. • Ensure (consistently) good water quality through regular water analysis to ascertain compliance to public health standards. 2234 2234 Impacts Mitigation Measures • Ensure annual documentation of health and safety audit. Fire safety audit and risk assessment. • Well stocked first aid box which is easily available and accessible should be provided within the premises. 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, Machakos 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/5164853 National Environment Management.