GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 2722

PURSUANT to section 59 of the Environmental Management and Coordination Act, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has received an Environmental Impact Assessment Study Report for the above proposed project. The proponent, Subati Group Limited, proposes to put up a plantation forest comprising of sandalwood and rosewood hardwood tree species for commercial use. The trees will be cultivated on a designated area of approximately 142 hectares on plot L.R. No. Makueni/Kiteng’ei Scheme ‘B’/1593 and Makueni/Kiteng’ei Scheme ‘B’/1594 in Kitengei location, Kibwezi Sub-County, Makueni County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impacts Mitigation measures Flora and fauna • Undertake routine monitoring/clearance of invasive species. • Give provisions for wildlife corridors and buffer zones Water quality and demand • Install construction water storage facilities at the site. • Minimize disposal wastewater disposal at the project site. Noise and vibrations • Provide PPE to workers and persons visiting the site. • Ensure the machineries do not exceed acceptable noise limits. • Inform local residents of activities that are likely to generate excessive noise. • Truck drivers to switch off engines during offloading materials avoid unnecessary hooting. Soil erosion • Allow minimal vegetation clearing and disturbance at the site. • Undertake proper planning of site clearing of vegetation during project implementation. Air quality • Provide personnel with Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing (PPE&C) such as dust masks. • Palliate stockpiles of earth generated with water regularly to suppress evolution of particles. Occupational health and safety • Ensure all equipment are inspected before use for appropriate safeguards. • Ensure controlled working hours and that employees do not extend working hours unnecessarily. • Ensure appropriate road safety signage are strategically placed in and round the plantation. Solid wastes • Encourage wastes segregation at source into different wastes categories before disposal. • Contract licensed waste management firm for disposal of large quantities of solid wastes. 820 820 Impacts Mitigation measures • Domestic solid wastes to be temporarily stored in refuse bins before disposal by licensed contractor. Liquid wastes • Provide workers with appropriate and adequate sanitary facilities i.e. toilets. • Wastewater from concrete/aggregates to be disposed into sedimentation pools & reuse clean water. Increased pressure on water resources • Investigate options for water efficient measures to reduce pressure on existing water resources. • Undertake water treatment of potable standard for reuse in production processes. • Incorporate relevant and practical wastewater reuse options into the operational procedures. • Ensure compliance with Water Resources Management Rules, 2007 on groundwater abstraction. • Undertake regular groundwater monitoring, especially of boreholes supplying water to the facility. Increased storm water • Undertake regular surface water monitoring in the downstream. • Ensure storm water drainage system is in good functional condition. • Develop and implement contingencies for groundwater and downstream wetlands. Wastewater effluents • Apply best available technologies and adopt cleaner wastewater management techniques. • Install grease traps in the drains to remove solidified fat from the restaurant wastewater. • Install a functional biological treatment (aerobic/anaerobic processes) for wastewater treatment. • Apply for waste discharge permits from NEMA. • Undertake annual environmental audits and submit findings to NEMA. Solid wastes • Contract licensed waste management firm for disposal of large quantities of solid wastes. • Domestic solid wastes to be temporarily stored in refuse bins before disposal by licensed contractor. • Concrete, asphalt and other waste aggregate should be stored and reused. • All reusable materials should be reused to minimize on quantity of solid waste generated.. • Undertake annual environmental audits and submit report to NEMA. Air emissions • Design and construct an efficient wastewater treatment system in accordance with best practices. • Regular maintenance septic tanks regularly. • Cover the solid wastes disposal area to control insects and scavenging birds. Impacts Mitigation measures Spread of invasive species, insects, vermin and pests • Clear/remove invasive plant species immediately they are sighted. • Undertake prudent and efficient solid/liquid waste management to keep away scavenging birds. Noise • Develop and implement a noise management plan. Socio-economics, community health and amenity impacts • Place warning signs warning people of potential dangers. • The perimeter fence must be constructed in a manner that prevents the movement of livestock in and out of the plantation. • Undertake annual environmental audits and submit reports to NEMA. Occupational health and safety hazards • Register the workplace with Director, Directorate of Occupational Health and Safety (DOHS). • Provide PPE to staff and personnel at the site. • Ensure compliance with Occupational Safety & Health Act (Part XI) regulations on construction activities. • Undertake regular occupational health and safety audits and submit reports to DOHS. • Provide first aid kit at the facility. Noise pollution • Schedule noise activities during daytime period. • Use silencers on machines where possible. • Ensure machinery is well maintained to reduce noise emitted. Air/dust pollution • Practice dust management techniques, including watering down dust. • Set up dust barriers/screens at strategic locations. • Provide and enforce the appropriate use of PPE against dust for staff. Liquid wastes • Adhere to EMCA 2006 water quality regulations. • Adhere to WRMA 2007 guidelines for effluent discharge into surface water resources. • Undertake proper demolition of wastewater structures to prevent ground water pollution by content. Solid wastes • Undertake disposal of solid waste in compliance with EMCA 2006 waste management regulations. • Segregate wastes to encourage reuse and recycling. • Contracted NEMA licensed waste collector to collect and dispose wastes. Social impacts • Provide earlier notice to all affected parties concerning the development. • Dismissal procedures should be compliant with the Employment Act, 2007. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Director-General, NEMA, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839–00200, Nairobi. 27th February, 2026 THE KENYA GAZETTE (b) County Director of Environment, Makueni County. A copy of the EIA report can be downloaded at www.nema.go.ke The National Environmental Management Authority, invites members of the public to submit oral or written comments within thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this notice to the Director-General, NEMA to assist the Authority in the decision making process for this project. Comments can also be e-mailed to dgnema@nema.go.ke MAMO B. MAMO, MR/8099356 Director-General.