SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PLAN FOR THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF

A FIVE-STAR HOTEL IN GARISSA ON PLOT L.R. NO. 571/GARISSA IN GARISSA

COUNTY

GROUP 2 EIA MEMBERS

NAME REGISTRATION NUMBER

AUGUSTINE MWENGA 21S01EIA005

JAPHET ABAE MOROA 21S01EIA012

GRACE WANGUI MWANGI 21S01EIA001

SYLVESTER SAMO OCHIENG

LILLIAN NTHOKI MUTHAMA 21S01EIA009

WYCLIFFE OMONDI OGUTU 21S01EIA019

IVY GATHII 21S01EIA008

ANDREW MURINGU NDUNGU

ESTA MLALE MWALOMA 21S01EIA003

ISAIAH GICHOHI 21S01EIA013

PETER KWINGA MUNYAO 21S0IEIA104

1. Introduction

The year 2030 envisions Garissa town as a tourist attraction destination and there are plans to
construct a large 5 star tourist hotel in the county. The Government of Kenya has commissioned
Fayreds Investments Limited P.O. Box 860-70100 Garissa, the Proponent, to design, plan and
actualize the 5 star hotel. Fayreds Investments Limited is committed in the minimization of
impacts caused by activities on the said environment and the society at large as well as the
continued improvement of various environmental performances. On such account, Fayreds
Investments Limited contracted Group 2 EIA experts to conduct an environmental and social
impact assessment from which a Social Impact Assessment will be drawn. Through the Social
Impact Assessment, Fayreds Investments Limited will explain the manner it intends to manage
social issues that will accrue as identified during the implementation of a five-star hotel project.

The proposed project is anticipated to have both positive and negative social impacts in the:

● Pre-construction stage (planning and design phase)

● Construction stage, and

● Operation stage.
Pre-construction Stage (planning and design phase)

Variable Description Mitigation measures

Positive social impacts

Employment Employment opportunities will be Ensure all planning concerns

opportunities created for skilled labor during are incorporated in every
the planning and design phase. procedure.
Skilled manpower will include
engineers, architects, surveyors,
valuers, physical planners,
environmentalists and
sociologists etc.
Living standards of those engaged
will be improved through the fees
paid for services rendered.

Creation of awareness During this Stage, the community Consider public participation
in the proposed project area will as a means of awareness
be informed of the proposed creation
project and their views sought.
Through this, awareness will
result for both the community and
the proponent. The proponent will
obtain local knowledge which he
may utilize when planning and
designing the project.

Negative Social Impacts Description Mitigation measures

Heightened expectations The proponent will mobilize a Explain the possible issues
and speculations. large team of skilled and and any other concerns that
unskilled personnel to undertake might become controversial
planning and design of the or raise the community’s
proposed project. These will expectations.
include consultants and local
human resources. This phase will
also involve stakeholder
consultation forums. The resultant
 effect will be heightened
expectations and speculations.

Construction Stage

Positive Social Impacts Description Mitigation Measures

Improved security Since the facility will be of

national concern, the government
will provide additional security
within the area, hence reduced
insecurity incidence both during
and after construction phases.

Improved social services Support service providers such as

and amenities hospitals, insurance service
providers, waste managers and
water points will be provided.

Commercialization of A 5-Star hotel in an area like

Culture and Art Garissa can open up tourism flow
in the sense that with the
commercial businesses within the
area, tourists can also have a
purpose of visiting. These
commercial businesses may also
promote the local cultures and
arts, museums, shows and
galleries can showcase the local
customs and traditions of a
destination. This can help to
promote/ preserve local traditions.
Some destinations will encourage
local cultures and arts to be
revitalised. This may be in the
form of museum exhibitions, in
the way that restaurants and shops
are decorated and in the
entertainment that may help
revise traditions that were lost and
even promote them to the tourists.

Infrastructure As a result of the construction of

development the hotel. The tourism industry
requires a lot of infrastructure to
 meet the needs of the tourist. This
often means that many
developments in an area as a
result of tourism which will be
brought up by the construction of
the hotel will be available for use
by the locals also. The locals in
Garissa will often gain new roads,
new sewage systems, new
playgrounds, bus services etc. as a
result of tourism. This can
provide a great boost to their
quality of life and is a great
example of a positive social
impact of tourism.

Negative Social Impacts Description Mitigation Measures

Influx of populations The development of the area by
the introduction of a hotel will
most likely attract growth in
populations as more people move
in in search of job opportunities.
Ensure the social amenities
available in the area move in
tandem with the population to
avoid overcrowding of basic
facilities.

Increased insecurity As the hotel is under construction, Engagement of residents to

there is increased cash flow as
well as increased populations to
the project area. This will
increase the risk of theft in the
area and resultant insecurity.
report any cases of insecurity;
Establishment of a police
base near site.
Work with local
administrators and leadership
to curb insecurity

Increased Competition for Higher populations will result in a
social services and strain on the existing amenities
available resources should they not also be improved
to match the existing situation.
These are schools, hospitals,
housing, transportation, etc.
Engagement of residents and
local leadership to outline the
communities’ needs;
Constant follow-up and
review of the available social
amenities and ensuring they
move in tandem with the
growing population.
Increased social evils This is due to various factors
including influx of residents and
cash which may in turn lead to
higher social evils such as
prostitution and drug abuse,
thuggery, sexual abuse .
Health and safety Increased health and safety
concerns that can be traced to the
additional population; untrained
staff; insecure site areas, dust,
environmental contamination,
increased vehicular accident etc.
Displacement of Possibility of relocation of
populations residents from their homes to
create room for the hotel and
related facilities
Possible project conflicts This regards the concerns of the
with locals residents which should be
properly managed.
Operation stage
Positive Social Impacts Description
Increased job Employment opportunities will be
opportunities. created for skilled labor during
the operation phase.Skilled
manpower will include waiters,
managers, cooks, cleaners etc
Negative Social Impacts Description
Unplanned land use Mushrooming of uncontrolled
patterns residences and services as a high
population migrates to the area.
Engagement/Sensitization of
locals and local leadership to
uphold the law.
Vetting of those seeking
employment
Establishment of an equipped
site clinic/ health centre
nearby; Development of an
incident/accident reporting
mechanism that will track and
close off issues; Adherence to
EHSS policies e.g. OSHA;
Development of traffic
management plan
Resettlement Action Plan for
implementation.
Involvement of NLC
Initiation of RAP committees
Engagement of locals to
ensure their concerns are
documented and addressed to
closure; Development of a
Grievance Redress
Mechanism (GRM)
Mitigation Measures
Mitigation Measures
Development of a spatial plan
for the area.
Constrained social Greater populations will result in
services and amenities a strain on the existing amenities
should they not also be improved
to match the existing situation.
Sprouting of slums and shanties
within the locality
Security and safety Increased populations to Garissa
will greatly increase the risk of
insecurity in the area.
Waste pollution The waste pollution can be
generated from hotel operations.
It can be seen how the waste
collected can be treated and
disposed of. Hotels sometimes
don’t evaluate whether these
practices are in compliance with
NEMA and international best
practices and whether there are
opportunities for resource
conservation through waste
reduction, reuse and recycling
that can bring about a huge risk to
the health of the locals especially
when they dump waste exposed in
the area.
Hazardous materials The hazardous materials
management generation during the operation of
the hotel can affect the livelihood
of the locals. If the hotels do not
consider how many on-site
(above ground or underground)
fuel storage tanks there will
be, whether these undergo a
technical review (e.g., adequate
secondary containment and
Engagement of residents and
local leadership to outline the
communities’ needs;
Constant follow-up and
review of the available social
amenities and ensuring they
move in tandem with the
growing population.
Working with the county
government to enforce land
use plan policies
Engagement of residents to
report any cases of insecurity;
Facilitation of a well manned
police base in the area.
Development of a waste
management plan that may
include the engagement of a
waste disposal handler,
separation of wastes for
reuse, identification of a
designated landfill/waste
disposal area.
Development of a waste
management plan that may
include the engagement of a
waste disposal handler
licensed to handle hazardous
wastes.
 regular integrity tests) to reduce
the potential for unplanned
emissions/discharges, and the
use and storage of other
hazardous materials, such as
pesticides for landscaping
purposes and disinfectants for
swimming pools/water fountains
can bring about future fire
incidents, health complications
because of toxins being inhaled
daily by locals.

Social cultural conflicts Increased immigrants could lead Continuous engagement and
to negative cultural influence awareness creation on
hence conflict with the locals tolerance and harmonious
coexistence.