Undertook the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Scoping Study and Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) framework development for the proposed 451 km Nairobi–Mombasa Expressway (NME), a nationally significant transport infrastructure corridor aimed at improving regional connectivity, freight efficiency, and road safety along Kenya’s primary economic artery.

Given the linear and trans-regional nature of the project, the assignment required a corridor-scale environmental and social risk scoping process across highly diverse ecological zones, land-use systems, and settlement patterns.

We developed a comprehensive ESIA Scoping Study and Terms of Reference (ToR) to define the full scope and methodology for subsequent detailed ESIA and RAP preparation.

The assignment was aligned with:

• IFC Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability
• World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF)
• Kenyan regulatory requirements under NEMA

The approach established a structured foundation for assessing environmental, biodiversity, and social risks across all project phases.

• Conducted detailed corridor-wide screening to identify environmental and social sensitivity hotspots
• Mapped land-use patterns, settlement clusters, protected areas, water crossings, and ecologically sensitive zones
• Identified cumulative and induced impacts associated with long linear infrastructure development

• Undertook wildlife connectivity modelling to assess habitat fragmentation risks along the proposed corridor
• Identified ecological corridors, wildlife movement pathways, and barrier effects of highway infrastructure
• Assessed impacts on habitat continuity and landscape permeability in biodiversity-sensitive areas
• Informed mitigation planning including wildlife crossings, underpasses/overpasses, and corridor alignment options
• Supported alignment with IFC Performance Standard 6 (Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources)

• Conducted early-stage stakeholder identification across national, county, and community levels
• Mapped regulatory, infrastructure, conservation, and community stakeholders along the corridor
• Captured preliminary concerns related to land acquisition, displacement, ecological disruption, and livelihood impacts

• Physical environment (air quality, noise, hydrology, geology)
• Biological environment (flora, fauna, ecosystems, critical habitats)
• Socio-economic environment (livelihoods, land tenure, community services)
• Transport and land-use dynamics along the corridor

• Full ESIA preparation across the 451 km corridor
• Development of a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) in line with IFC Performance Standard 5
• Specialist studies including biodiversity, wildlife movement, hydrology, air quality, noise, cultural heritage, and traffic impacts
• Development of Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs)
• Grievance redress mechanisms and stakeholder engagement frameworks

• Identified early-stage land acquisition and displacement risk zones
• Defined principles for compensation, livelihood restoration, and vulnerable group considerations
• Established RAP structure aligned with international lender expectations

• Delivered a comprehensive ESIA Scoping Study and Terms of Reference (ToR) for the expressway
• Integrated wildlife connectivity modelling into early-stage planning for biodiversity-sensitive design
• Identified key ecological and social sensitivity hotspots along the 451 km corridor
• Established compliance pathway for NEMA approval and international investor due diligence
• Informed stakeholder engagement strategy and prioritisation of high-risk corridor segments
• Provided a robust foundation for full ESIA and RAP development in line with IFC and World Bank standards
• Positioned the project for environmentally and socially responsible infrastructure planning at national scale