Heritage Expert’s Review of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Study Report for Proposed Palm Exotja Highrise Resort Project at Dabaso, Kilifi County, Kenya

The study reviewed the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) study report for the proposed highrise resort development project in Kilifi County of Kenya. The proposal by M/S Palm Exotja Limited, P.O Box 347 Watamu, will involve the construction and operation of the ultra-modern tourist facility of 61 floors- Palm Exotja Highrise Resort at Dabaso, Watamu, in Kilifi County. This will be the tallest building in Kenya and perhaps in East African region. The ESIA study report prepared by Hannah M. Njoroge, Beatrice N. Karanja and Regina W. Gathuma (Registered EIA/EA experts), on behalf of the proponent was published by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). Comments were invited from the lead agencies and stakeholders on environmental management, as well as from the members of the public to register their concerns regarding this proposed development project. The national heritage resources in Kenya are protected by legislation and policies and wherever they are located, usually occur as part of the natural and human environment. This study was conducted as part of this EIA study report review process and culminated in National Museums of Kenya’s raising concerns over the likely negative impact of the proposed project activities to the national heritage resources of the proposed project area. The data for this review study were gathered through literature review and fieldwork at the site of the proposed project, at Dabaso, in Kilifi County. The preliminary fieldwork carried out at the proposed project area and findings of the review of the Kenya’s national legislation on heritage management, shows that the EIA study report does not address the possible negative impact of the proposed project to heritage resources of the study area. In conclusion, the study recommends that M/S Palm Exotja Limited carries out heritage impact assessment to address negative impact of the project activities to heritage of the study area. This study has implications not only, for the decision-making regarding the integration of national heritage concerns in the national development planning processes in Kenya, but also for the professional practice in heritage management authorities, institutions and individuals such as archaeologists, biologists, anthropologists, palaeontologists and historians among others, who have interest in the management of heritage resources.