GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 8637

PURSUANT to Regulation 21 of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, 2003, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has received an Environmental Impact Assessment Study Report for the above proposed project. The proponent, Rongtai Steel Company Limited proposes to construct and operate an iron and steel processing plant composed of: Melting Plant Building (comprises of a total of 3 sets of 5-ton of Intermediate Frequency Furnace with a 15 tons/hr average amount of steel produced and 4,500 kVA transformer capacity for each set), Rolling Mill( 200,000 tons per annum production capacity for hot- rolled steel deformed rebar and a 13 m/s finishing speed of the bar) and other auxiliary facilities i.e. furnaces, water supply and drainage facilities, ventilation and dust removal facilities, inspection and thermal facilities and ETP plant on L.R. No. 12648/193 (Originally 12648/77) in Mavoko Municipality, Machakos County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Potential Impacts Potential Mitigation Measures Vegetation/biodiversity disturbance • Specify locations for trailers and equipment, and areas of the site which should be kept free of traffic, equipment and storage. • Designate access routes and parking within the site. Potential Impacts Potential Mitigation Measures • Design and implement an appropriate landscaping programme to help in re- vegetation of part of the project area after construction. • The green belt will be developed by carefully selected plant species as to help in the reduction of noise and air pollution. Increased solid waste generation • Use of an integrated solid waste management system as stipulated in the Sustainable Waste Management Act, 2022 i.e. Through a hierarchy of options: Source reduction, Recycling, Composting and reuse, Combustion and Sanitary land filling. • Donate recyclable/reusable or residual materials to local community groups, institutions and individual local residents or homeowners. • Use of durable, long-lasting materials that will not need to be replaced as often, thereby reducing the amount of construction waste generated over time. • Use building materials that have minimal or no packaging to avoid the generation of excessive packaging waste. • Use construction materials containing recycled content when possible and in accordance with accepted standards. • Dispose waste more responsibly by dumping at designated dumping sites or landfills only. • Waste collection bins to be provided at designated points on site. • Running an educational campaign amongst employees, e.g. through use of posters, to encourage reuse or recycling of the solid waste. • Collect, segregate and dispose waste responsibly. • Contract a licensed waste handler to dispose the wastes. Noise and vibration • Sensitize construction vehicle drivers and machinery operators to switch off engines of vehicles or machinery not being used. • Ensure that construction machineries are kept in good condition to reduce noise generation Project. • Ensure that all generators and heavy- duty equipment are insulated or placed in enclosures to minimize ambient noise levels. • The noisy construction works will entirely be planned to be during daytime when most of the neighbours will be at work. • Comply with the provisions of Environmental Management and Co- ordination (Noise and Excessive Vibration Pollution) (Control) Regulations, 2009 regarding noise limits at the workplace. • Conducting periodic audiometric tests for employees working close to high noise levels, such as compressors, etc. 2852 2852 Potential Impacts Potential Mitigation Measures • Provision of PPE’s will be done and their proper usage will be ensured for eardrum protection of the workers as well as visitors • Sound proofing/ glass panelling shall be provided at critical operating stations/ control rooms, etc. • Monitoring of ambient noise levels shall also be carried out regularly both inside the facility area as well as outside the peripheral greenbelt. Increased storm water, runoff and soil erosion • A storm water management plan that minimizes impervious area infiltration by use of recharge areas and use of detention and/or retention with graduated outlet control structure will be designed. • Apply soil erosion control measures such as levelling of the project site to reduce runoff velocity and increase infiltration of storm water into the soil. • Ensure that construction vehicles are restricted to existing graded roads to avoid soil compaction within the project site. • Ensure that any compacted areas are ripped to reduce run off. • Open drains all interconnected will be provided on site. Traffic congestion • Transport of materials during the traffic off peak hours to avoid possible traffic congestion, purchasing of material according to the demand, ensuring minimal residence period for trucks mobilizing material on site. • Proper planning during construction period. Occupational health and safety risks • Ensure that all building plans are approved by the Local Authority and the local Occupational Health and Safety Office. • Registration of the premises under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007 Laws of Kenya is mandatory. • A general register should be kept within the facility as stipulated in sec 122 and 123 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007. • There shall be displayed at prominent places within the site the prescribed abstract of the OSHA and the relevant notices as stipulated in section 121 of the OSHA, 2007. • Ensure that provisions for reporting incidents, accidents and dangerous occurrences during construction and operations using prescribed forms obtainable from the local Occupational Health and Safety Office (OHSO) are in place. • Enforcing adherence to safety procedures and preparing contingency plan for accident response in addition safety education and training shall be emphasized. • Ensure that the premises are insured as per statutory requirements (third party and workman’s compensation). Potential Impacts Potential Mitigation Measures • Develop, document and display prominently an appropriate SHE policy for construction works. • Ensure that equipment and work tasks are adapted to fit workers and their ability including protection against mental strain. • All machines and other moving parts of equipment must be enclosed or guarded to protect all workers from injury. • Equipment such as fire extinguishers must be examined by a government authorized person. The equipment shall only be used if a certificate of examination has been issued. • Ensure that materials are stored or stacked in such manner as to ensure their stability and prevent any fall or collapse. • All floors, steps, stairs and passages of the premises must be of sound construction and properly maintained. • Securely fence or cover all openings in floors. • All ladders used in construction works must be of good construction and sound material of adequate strength and be properly maintained. • Well stocked first aid box shall be easily available and accessible should be provided within the premises. Air pollution • Vehicle idling time shall be minimized. • Alternatively, fuelled construction equipment shall be used where feasible equipment shall be properly tuned and maintained. • Sensitize truck drivers to avoid unnecessary racing of vehicle engines at loading/offloading points and parking areas, and to switch off or keep vehicle engines at these points. • Avoid excavation works in extremely dry weathers. • Careful screening of construction site to contain and arrest construction related dust. • Sprinkle water on graded access routes when necessary to reduce dust generation by construction vehicles. • Vegetation will be replanted in disturbed areas as soon as possible to create green space and stabilize soils. • Leak detection and repair (LDAR) program shall be implemented in the facility. • Ambient air quality with respect to SPM, RPM, SO2, NOx, H2S, CO and HC monitoring shall be continued in the impact zone as per regulations. • To minimise occupational exposure or hazards, the present practice of using personal protective equipment e.g. helmets, safety (gas) mask/safety dress, safety harness for working at heights, safety shoes, safety goggles, low temperature hand gloves and shock 30th June, 2023 THE KENYA GAZETTE Potential Impacts Potential Mitigation Measures resistant hand gloves etc. be ensured for workers engaged in operation of process units within the facility complex. • Waste Lube oil will not be incinerated and will be sold to NEMA authorised waste oil recyclers. • All access roads (internal as well as external) to be used by the project authorities will be paved to suppress the dust generation along the roads. Water pollution • Install water conserving taps that turn- off automatically when water is not being used. • Promote recycling and reuse of water as much as possible. • Install a discharge meter at water outlets to determine and monitor total water usage. • Promptly detect and repair of water pipe and tank leaks. • Sensitize staff to conserve water by avoiding unnecessary water use. • Provide means for handling sewage generated by workers. • Conduct regular checks for pipe blockages or damages since such vices can lead to release of the effluent into the land and water bodies. • Monitor effluent quality regularly to ensure that the stipulated discharge rules and standards are not violated. • There will be industrial effluent generated in this plant. This will be treated in the ETP to be set on site. The proponent is also encouraged to collect and treat all wastewater and practise water recycling in their operations. • Rain Water Harvesting: The rain water harvesting program shall be implemented in the plant. • Ensure all sanitary liquid is discharged into the septic. • Where applicable ensure a sewer discharge license is obtained. • Capture and contain runoff water from the storage area for treatment before release to the environment. • Install oil traps at storm drain exit points. • Pass any sludge produced through a filter press and dry in impermeable sludge drying beds prior to disposal. • Dispose Sludge thorough licensed hazardous waste handlers. • Ensure treated waste water meets relevant standards in Water Quality Regulations. Climate change • Undertake an intensive greenhouse gas inventory to monitor GHG emissions. • Develop and implement a GHG data management system. • Consider converting waste heat into electricity. Potential Impacts Potential Mitigation Measures • Include and maintain plant greenbelts and participate in tree planting activities to act as carbon sink. • Include climate change prevention measures in environmental policy and sensitize workers on importance of adherence to the measures. Increased energy consumption • Ensure electrical equipment, appliances and lights are switched off when not being used. • Install energy saving fluorescent tubes at all lighting points instead of bulbs which consume higher electric energy. • Ensure planning of transportation of materials to ensure that fossil fuels (diesel, petrol) are not consumed in excessive amounts. • Monitor energy use during construction and set targets for reduction of energy use. • Undertake energy audits every 3 years. • Implement 50% recommendations of audit before next audit. • Consider capture of heat and gas from processes to supplement energy requirements of the project. • Use energy efficient equipment on site. Socio-economic Environment • In order to mitigate the impacts likely to arise out of the proposed project and also to maintain good will of local people, steps will be taken for improving the social environment. • The organization shall undertake social welfare programs for the betterment of the Quality of Life of Athi River people in collaboration with the local bodies i.e. focus shall be on to educate the community regarding safety measures provided in the plant. Insecurity • Ensure the general safety and security at all times by providing day and night security guards and adequate lighting within and around the construction site. • Body-search the workers on entry, to avoid getting weapons on site, and leaving site to ensure nothing is stolen. • Ensure only authority personnel get to the site. • Security alarms will be installed. Site rehabilitation • Collect, segregate and dispose demolition waste responsibly and use a licensed waste handler. • Evaluate site contamination. • Rehabilitate/restore the site to its original state as much as is practical by planting trees and other appropriate vegetation. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, NHIF Building, 12th Floor, Ragati Road, Upper Hill, P.O. Box 30126–00100, Nairobi. (b) Director-General, NEMA, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839–00200, Nairobi. 2854 2854 (c) County Director of Environment, Machakos County. A copy of the report can be downloaded at www.nema.go.ke The National Environment 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 regarding this project. Comments can also be emailed to dgnema@nema.go.ke MAMO B. MAMO, Director-General, MR/5180454 National Environment Management Authority.