Factors Influencing the Implementation of Environmental Impact Assessment Recommendations on Commercial Projects.a Case of Nakuru Town, Nakuru County, Kenya

Abstract

The study aimed to analyse the factors that influence the implementation of environmental impact assessment recommendations in commercial projects in Nakuru town. The core purpose of EIA is to integrate environmental considerations early in the decision-making process in order to identify and mitigate potential negative impacts of proposed actions. This is necessary to ensure that appropriate mitigation measures are incorporated during the planning phases of projects, activities and operations. In spite it‟s well known advantages; the EIA processes have documented weaknesses that hamper its effective use. This has compromised its effective integration of social, economic and ecological considerations into sustainable development. based on this existing fact the study will concentrate on three major parameters :the extent to which monitoring and evaluation by lead agencies affect the implementation of environmental impact assessment recommendations, the extent to which public participation influences implementation of environmental impact assessment recommendations and lastly the extent to which budgetary allocation influences the implementation of environmental impact assessment recommendations in Nakuru town .The theory of environmental impact assessment decision will be adopted which argues that if you provide better and more information to the decision maker then they will make a more rational decision because they will be better informed. Although it is well known that in reality, decisions about development are not made solely or in some cases even at all on a rational basis. Decisions are based on many considerations, and are often highly political. Case studies of Netherlands and Canada will be studies for the international case while Cameroon will be studies for chosen for regional case. Since the relationship between the main variables (independent and dependent variables) already exists, ex-post facto study design was considered appropriate for the research. Since it involves comparing groups in order to explain the existing differences between the variables of interest judgment sampling design, a non probabilistic sampling design, will be used since it is suitable when data sought can only be obtained from certain groups. A target population of 63 was used as 10% of the sample frame from ex-post facto research design. A questionnaire with both closed ended and open ended questions and an interview schedule was used as tools for the collection of primary data. The questionnaire will be hand delivered to respondents and a time for collection agreed upon. The use of an interview schedule required administration by an enumerator, who will help the respondent fill the schedule. A computer software programme SPSS was used to analyze quantitative data where both descriptive and person correlation was performed. The study established that a positive correlation existed between monitoring and evaluation and implementation of EIA recommendations=0.479, P=0.00<α (0.05public participation also recorded a positive correlation of R=0.523, p=0.00<α (0.05).and on the last objective the study established a positive correlation between budgetary allocation and implementation of EIA recommendations R=0.471p=0.000<α (0.05).the study concluded that monitoring and evaluation, public participation and budgetary allocation all had significant influence on the implementation of EIA recommendations.