FAQs

General Information About LER Consult Ltd.

1. What is LER Consult Ltd?
   LER Consult Ltd is a registered limited liability company in Kenya specializing in biodiversity management, environmental compliance, spatial planning, and socio-economic surveys.

2. When was LER Consult Ltd established?
   LER Consult Ltd has been operational since September 2010 as a Kenyan-registered consultancy firm.

3. Where is LER Consult Ltd located?
   The company’s office is at House 61, Midland Court, Muhoho Avenue, South C, Nairobi, Kenya.

4. What services does LER Consult Ltd offer?
   Services include environmental impact assessments (ESIA), spatial planning, GIS surveying, resettlement action plans (RAP), and climate change adaptation.

5. Is LER Consult Ltd registered with NEMA?
   Yes, LER Consult Ltd complies with NEMA regulations under Kenya’s Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA).

6. Does LER Consult Ltd work internationally?
   While based in Kenya, LER Consult Ltd adheres to international conventions like the Kyoto Protocol and Ramsar Convention.

7. Who are the key personnel at LER Consult Ltd?
   The company has lead planners, environmentalists, surveyors, sociologists, and GIS specialists.

8. What sectors does LER Consult Ltd specialize in?
   Key sectors include urban planning, natural resource management, infrastructure, and climate change adaptation.

9. Does LER Consult Ltd handle government projects?
   Yes, they work with county governments, NGOs, and private developers on spatial planning and environmental compliance.

10. How can I contact LER Consult Ltd?
    Reach them via their Nairobi office or official website for consultancy inquiries.

Environmental & Social Impact Assessment (ESIA).

11. What is an ESIA, and why is it important?
    An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) evaluates project risks and ensures compliance with NEMA and EMCA regulations.

12. Does LER Consult Ltd conduct ESIAs for construction projects?
    Yes, they assess impacts for roads, dams, industries, and commercial buildings in Kenya.

13. What are the steps in an ESIA process?
    The process includes screening, scoping, impact analysis, mitigation planning, and reporting.

14. How long does an ESIA take?
    Duration depends on project complexity but typically 3–6 months for approvals.

15. What laws govern ESIAs in Kenya?
    The Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA) mandates ESIAs for projects.

16. Can LER Consult Ltd help with ESIA compliance for mining?
    Yes, they have expertise in mining, oil & gas, and industrial ESIAs.

17. What mitigation measures does LER Consult Ltd recommend?
    Strategies include avoidance, minimization, and compensation for environmental impacts.

18. Does LER Consult Ltd handle ESIAs for renewable energy projects?
    Yes, including solar, wind, and hydroelectric power developments.

19. What’s the cost of an ESIA in Kenya?
    Costs vary based on project size—contact LER Consult Ltd for a customized quote.

20. How does LER Consult Ltd engage stakeholders in ESIAs?
    They conduct public participation, workshops, and consultations for inclusive planning.

Resettlement Action Plans (RAP).

21. What is a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP)?
    A RAP ensures fair compensation and livelihood restoration for project-affected persons.

22. When is a RAP required in Kenya?
    For projects causing displacement, such as roads, dams, or slum upgrades.

23. Does LER Consult Ltd develop RAPs for infrastructure projects?
    Yes, including road expansions, pipelines, and urban renewal programs.

24. What are key components of a RAP?
    Includes impact assessment, compensation framework, grievance mechanisms, and monitoring.

25. How does LER Consult Ltd ensure RAP compliance?
    They align with World Bank safeguards and Kenyan land acquisition laws.

26. Can LER Consult Ltd assist in land compensation disputes?
    Yes, they provide valuation support and legal framework guidance.

27. What’s the timeline for RAP implementation?
    Typically 6–12 months, depending on project scale.

28. Does LER Consult Ltd work on involuntary resettlement cases?
    Yes, they follow best practices to minimize social disruption.

29. How are project-affected persons identified?
    Through census surveys, mapping, and participatory assessments.

30. What’s the role of public participation in RAPs?
    Ensures transparency, fairness, and community acceptance of projects.

Urban & Spatial Planning.

31. What is spatial planning in Kenya?
    It’s land-use planning for sustainable urban and rural development.

32. Does LER Consult Ltd prepare County Spatial Plans?
    Yes, they develop integrated urban and regional plans for Kenyan counties.

33. What’s included in a Local Physical Development Plan?
    Covers zoning, infrastructure mapping, and land-use regulations.

34. Can LER Consult Ltd assist in slum upgrading?
    Yes, they design participatory slum-upgrading schemes in Nairobi and other cities.

35. What’s the importance of development control schemes?
    They regulate construction standards and land utilization.

36. Does LER Consult Ltd handle industrial zoning plans?
    Yes, including special economic zones and commercial hubs.

37. How does GIS support urban planning?
    It enables mapping, data analysis, and 3D modeling for informed decisions.

38. What’s the cost of a Master Plan in Kenya?
    Varies by scope—LER Consult Ltd provides tailored quotations.

39. Can LER Consult Ltd help with informal settlement planning?
    Yes, they specialize in low-cost housing and site-and-service schemes.

40. What laws guide physical planning in Kenya?
    The Physical Planning Act and Urban Areas and Cities Act.

Surveying & GIS Services.

41. What surveying services does LER Consult Ltd offer?
    Includes cadastral, topographic, and engineering surveys.

42. Does LER Consult Ltd use drone mapping?
    Yes, they employ UAV/UAS technology for precision surveys.

43. What’s the difference between cadastral and topo surveys?
    Cadastral defines property boundaries; topo maps land contours.

44. Can LER Consult Ltd create Land Information Systems (LIS)?
    Yes, they develop custom GIS databases for governments and developers.

45. What software does LER Consult Ltd use for GIS?
    They use ArcGIS, AutoCAD Civil 3D, and ERDAS Imagine.

46. How accurate are LER Consult Ltd’s GPS surveys?
    They use RTK GPS and geodetic equipment for high-precision data.

47. Does LER Consult Ltd conduct ALTA surveys?
    Yes, for commercial real estate and large-scale land transactions.

48. Can LER Consult Ltd assist in utility mapping?
    Yes, including water, sewer, and electrical infrastructure mapping.

49. What’s the turnaround time for a survey report?
    Typically 2–4 weeks, depending on project size.

50. How does GIS support environmental management?
    It aids in biodiversity mapping, risk assessment, and resource tracking.

    Environmental Audits & Compliance.

    51. What is an Environmental Audit (EA)?
        An Environmental Audit assesses compliance with NEMA regulations, evaluating waste, emissions, and resource use.

    52. When is an Environmental Audit required in Kenya?
        Mandatory for industries, construction firms, and facilities under EMCA laws.

    53. Does LER Consult Ltd conduct Environmental Audits for factories?
        Yes, they audit manufacturing plants, mines, and energy projects for regulatory compliance.

    54. What’s the difference between an EA and ESIA?
        An ESIA predicts future impacts, while an EA checks current compliance.

    55. How often should companies conduct Environmental Audits?
        Typically annually or as required by NEMA permit conditions.

    56. Can LER Consult Ltd help with NEMA licensing?
        Yes, including effluent discharge, waste transport, and noise permits.

    57. What penalties apply for non-compliance in Kenya?
        Fines, project shutdowns, or legal action under EMCA 2015.

    58. Does LER Consult Ltd assist in remediation planning?
        Yes, for contaminated sites, landfills, and polluted water bodies.

    59. What’s included in an audit report?
        Findings, corrective actions, and compliance certification.

    60. How long does an Environmental Audit take?
        2–8 weeks, depending on facility size and complexity.

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    Climate Change & Sustainability.

    61. Does LER Consult Ltd offer climate change adaptation services?
        Yes, including risk assessments, resilience planning, and carbon footprint analysis.

    62. What’s the role of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in climate planning?
        SEA integrates climate risks into national and county policies.

    63. Can LER Consult Ltd help with carbon credit projects?
        Yes, they support reforestation, renewable energy, and offset initiatives.

    64. What are circular economy measures?
        Strategies to reduce waste, reuse materials, and promote sustainability.

    65. Does LER Consult Ltd work on green building certifications?
        They advise on LEED, EDGE, and Kenya Green Building Society standards.

    66. How can counties prepare for climate disasters?
        Through flood mapping, early warning systems, and infrastructure hardening.

    67. What’s Kenya’s legal framework for climate change?
        The Climate Change Act (2016) and National Adaptation Plan (NAP).

    68. Can LER Consult Ltd develop climate action plans?
        Yes, for businesses, counties, and NGOs.

    69. What’s the cost of a climate vulnerability study?
        From KES 500,000, depending on scope.

    70. How does LER Consult Ltd align with the Paris Agreement?
        Their projects support Kenya’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

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    Waste & Water Management.

    71. What solid waste management services does LER Consult Ltd offer?
        Includes recycling plans, landfill design, and county waste policy development.

    72. How can businesses reduce plastic waste in Kenya?
        Through extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes and alternative materials.

    73. Does LER Consult Ltd design wastewater treatment systems?
        Yes, for industries, estates, and municipal projects.

    74. What’s the penalty for illegal dumping in Kenya?
        Fines up to KES 2 million or imprisonment under EMCA.

    75. Can LER Consult Ltd help with hazardous waste permits?
        Yes, including medical, electronic, and chemical waste licenses.

    76. What’s a zero-waste strategy?
        A plan to divert 90%+ waste from landfills via recycling/composting.

    77. How do counties improve waste collection?
        Through PPP models, community sensitization, and infrastructure investment.

    78. Does LER Consult Ltd conduct waste audits?
        Yes, to identify reduction opportunities and cost savings.

    79. What’s the cost of a waste management plan?
        From KES 300,000 for small businesses.

    80. How can schools implement waste recycling?
        LER Consult Ltd provides training, bin systems, and composting solutions.

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    Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) & Stakeholder Engagement.

    81. What are PPPs in environmental services?
        Collaborations where private firms manage public utilities like water/waste.

    82. Can LER Consult Ltd broker PPPs for counties?
        Yes, linking governments with investors for infrastructure projects.

    83. What’s the benefit of PPPs for waste management?
        Improves efficiency, funding access, and service delivery.

    84. How does LER Consult Ltd engage communities in projects?
        Through town halls, surveys, and participatory mapping.

    85. What’s a grievance redress mechanism?
        A system to resolve project-related complaints fairly and transparently.

    86. Does LER Consult Ltd handle land dispute mediation?
        Yes, using socioeconomic surveys and legal frameworks.

    87. How can NGOs partner with LER Consult Ltd?
        For capacity building, research, and grassroots project implementation.

    88. What’s included in a stakeholder mapping report?
        Identifies key influencers, risks, and engagement strategies.

    89. Can LER Consult Ltd organize public hearings?
        Yes, for ESIA, RAP, and urban planning compliance.

    90. What’s the cost of stakeholder consultation services?
        From KES 200,000, depending on project scale.

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    Feasibility Studies & Monitoring.

    91. What’s a feasibility study in environmental projects?
        Assesses technical, financial, and legal viability before implementation.

    92. Does LER Consult Ltd conduct feasibility studies for dams?
        Yes, covering hydrology, resettlement, and biodiversity impacts.

    93. How long does a feasibility study take?
        1–6 months, based on data requirements.

    94. What’s the difference between monitoring and evaluation (M&E)?
        Monitoring tracks progress; evaluation measures long-term impact.

    95. Can LER Consult Ltd set up M&E systems?
        Yes, with KPIs, data tools, and performance dashboards.

    96. What’s a logical framework in M&E?
        A matrix linking project goals, activities, and outcomes.

    97. Does LER Consult Ltd evaluate donor-funded projects?
        Yes, for World Bank, EU, and UN agencies.

    98. How can businesses track sustainability goals?
        Through LER Consult Ltd’s ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) metrics.

    99. What’s the cost of an M&E system?
        From KES 400,000 for NGOs/small projects.

    100. Why choose LER Consult Ltd for consultancy?
         They offer 20+ years’ expertise, NEMA-accredited reports, and end-to-end project support.