Some Nairobi residents and occupants could face displacement under a proposed government housing development in Southlands, Lang’ata Constituency, after environmental assessment reports outlined measures to support people affected by the project before construction begins.
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has invited public comments on five Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) reports for proposed social and affordable housing developments in Mugumo-ini Ward.
Notices published in the Kenya Gazette on October 23 identify the State Department for Housing and Urban Development as the project proponent. The five projects are planned to deliver a combined 7,128 housing units across separate lots.
The notices indicate that four lots will each have 1,386 housing units, while Lot 2 will have 1,584 units. The developments will comprise multi-storey residential blocks with one-roomed, two-roomed and three-roomed social housing units, as well as studio, two-bedroom and three-bedroom affordable homes.
“The proponent, State Department For Housing and Urban Development, proposes to construct fourteen (14) multi storey residential blocks comprising of ground plus 8 No. upper floors with a total of 1386 affordable and social housing units (one-roomed, tworoomed, three-roomed social housing units and studio, two-bedroom, three-bedroom affordable housing units) including internal access roads, water supply and storage systems, shopping stalls, outdoor children play areas, parking spaces and other associated amenities and facilities in Mugumo-ini ward, Langata Constituency, Nairobi City County,” reads one of the notice.
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Reports Outline Measures for People Affected by the Projects
The environmental assessment reports identify project-affected persons (PAPs) as a group requiring specific attention before construction and clearance activities.
One of the notices, Gazette Notice No. 16886, for the proposed Kibra Lot 5 development, lists measures to be taken before displacement, including verifying the register of affected people and providing agreed support.
“Complete and verify the PAP register before displacement and provide agreed facilitation/support before clearance,” the report states.
It also states that the proponent should coordinate physical clearance with facilitation and livelihood-restoration measures, maintain engagement with affected people, and provide access to grievance channels.
The report also calls for special attention to vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, women-headed households, elderly people and children.
It states that the project should “give priority attention to vulnerable PAPs including persons with disabilities, women-headed households, elderly persons and children.”
What the Government Plans to Build
The housing projects will include residential blocks and supporting infrastructure intended to serve residents of the developments.
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According to the Gazette notices, Lots 1, 3, 4 and 5 will each comprise 14 multi-storey residential blocks with a ground floor and eight upper floors. Lot 2 will have 16 blocks with the same floor arrangement.
The proposed facilities include internal access roads, water supply and storage systems, shopping stalls, outdoor children’s play areas, parking spaces and other associated amenities.
The developments will also require construction activities that could affect neighbouring residents through noise, dust, vibration and increased traffic.
To reduce disruption to neighbouring residents, the reports recommend restricting noisy construction activities to daytime hours, controlling dust by watering exposed surfaces, and assessing nearby buildings before works begin.
They also recommend notifying neighbours at least 14 days before significant vibration-generating works and providing advance notice of major noise-producing activities.
NEMA Invites Public to Comment on Housing Projects
NEMA has invited members of the public to submit oral or written comments on the proposed developments within 30 days of the October 23, publication.
The authority said the submissions would help it decide on the projects.
Members of the public can inspect the reports during working hours at NEMA’s offices on Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, Nairobi, or at the Nairobi City County Director of Environment’s office.
Copies of the reports are also available for download through the NEMA website. Written comments can be submitted to the Director-General at [email protected], quoting the relevant reference number for the project.
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