GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 3270

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, Rupingazi Weru Irrigation Scheme, is proposing to develop Rupingazi Weru Irrigation Scheme. The project will comprise of: an intake on Rupingazi River; a conveyance system consisting of UPVC and GI pipes involving installation of 19 sub-mainlines with a total length of 60.68km, 38 feeder lines to 746 small holder farms, sprinkler heads, fittings and accessories; and other associated facilities and amenities. The project will be located in Kiamuringa, Gachuriri and Gachoka sub-locations of Mbeti South Location, Mbeere South Sub-County in Embu County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures • Acquire all relevant approvals and licenses to avoid construction work held. • Seek qualified personnel for various works including licensed engineer and contractor. • The approved designs followed in all stages of the project development. • The institutions that concern this kind of development should be liaised where need be. • Rehabilitation of degraded environment undertaken to stabilize the soil and therefore reduce rate of soil erosion and siltation. • Soil conservation measures should be constructed especially at stockpiled areas. • Protect/Provide safe access to the unstable excavated sites through use warning signage, stable access to depths and heights. • Supply workers with potable water and washrooms. • Recruit workers from local area as much as possible and mainstream gender; Provide PPE such as overalls, boots, goggles, dust masks and others. • Carry out awareness creation on dangers associated with HIV/AIDS. • Display clear and visible warnings e.g. "No Access to the site for an unauthorized person" or "Danger/Hatari" at the area prone to these dangers and use language that is Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures understood by all. Noise and • Provide earmuffs for those working with excessive noise producing equipment. vibrations • Combine noisy operations so that they occur at the same time. • Construction to take the shortest time possible. Loss of vegetation • Where possible, the clearing of vegetation more so the indigenous trees need to be avoided during construction as much as possible. • Establish tree nurseries and replant trees. • After work is complete, the riparian area should be conserved. Pollution of river • Cart waste generated near water away as soon as possible. • Apply sediment control procedures to prevent sediment returning into the rivers. • Don't block the river flow in a way to obstruct aquatic movements. • Washing should be carried out far from the water course. • The construction works should follow WRUA by laws. • Strict measures are to be applied for the handling of construction materials in powder form. • Excavation, handling and transport of erodible materials shall be avoided under high wind conditions. • promote the reuse, recycling and reduction of wastes including waste containment. • Use of durable, long-lasting materials that will not need to be replaced often. • Potential pollutants should be stored, kept and used in such a manner that any escape can be contained to avoid degrading the water table. • Any pollution incidents on site should be resolved speedily. • The maintenance of vehicle and other machineries should be on designated locations. • Provide oil spill at containment and clean-up equipment designated areas. • Provide PPE for workers. • Should an accident occur: The injured person given first aid and immediately taken to the hospital, an investigation be initiated and preliminary findings released within 12 hours. • The river flow should not be blocked in a way to obstruct aquatic life movements. • The construction works should follow WRUA by laws. • Cart away waste generated as soon as possible. • Liaise with KFS on conditions of working in the forest. • Sensitize the migrant workers on sexual behavior risk. • Have VCT services on site and encourage workers to undergo the same. • Provision of protective devices such as condoms. Compromise with the efficiency of construction work and project Soil erosion Health and safety of workers and local community Dust emissions Construction wastes Oil spillage Accidents and hazards during construction Water quality downstream Loss of biodiversity during pipe laying in the forest Occupational safety and health impacts during pipeline laying outside forest 24th April, 2020 THE KENYA GAZETTE 1785 Impacts on local air quality • Spraying water on soil before excavation and periodic access road wetting to reduce nuisance dust levels. • Visual inspection of dust pollution from roads and the construction site and appropriate intervention if dust levels are high. • Speed restriction of construction vehicles to a speed of 30 km/h or less on the site and on the access roads to the site. Proposed Mitigation Measures • Maintenance and servicing of machines and engines off-site. • Grievance procedure for dust complaints. • The use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as dust masks, in particular, for construction workers. • All construction materials will be transported in designated trucks which will be covered. • Conduct construction activities during day time. • Select equipment with lower sound power levels. • Install silencers for fans used by construction machinery. • Restrict engine idling of equipment and vehicles. • Regular maintenance of construction equipment. • Segregate and store in a designated waste management area. • Deliver to licensed recyclers. • Segregate and store in a designated waste management area. • Deliver to licensed recyclers. • Fuels will be stored on site in temporary aboveground storage tanks placed on a bonded area. • Trucks and construction vehicles will be serviced off site. • Recovery and re-use to be explored and where it is not feasible they should be disposed in a NEMA. • Segregate and store in a designated waste management area. • Deliver to licensed recyclers. • Segregate and store in a designated waste management area. • Deliver to licensed recyclers. • Segregate and store in a designated waste management area. • Eliminate excess packaging. • Repair items such as pallets so that they can be re-used. • Minimize works during rainy season. • Excavated materials to be removed and disposed at designated disposal facility. • Fuel and other chemicals storage area to be paved and bonded to avoid leakage and contamination of surface or ground waters. • Restore and seed temporary access road. • Maintain erosion controls. • Preparation and implementation of a Waste Management Plan (WMP). • Store fuels on site in temporary aboveground storage tanks. • Service trucks and construction vehicles off site. • Adhere to Kenyan laws and regulations applicable to waste management and the MSDS. • Provide temporary ablution facilities and Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures • Provision shall be made for employee facilities including shelter, toilets and washing facilities. Conflicts between • Develop an MoU with non-members at members and planning stage. non-members • Ensure road signs (men at work) posted when working on such areas. 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, Community, P.O. Box 30126-00100, Nairobi. (b) Director-General, NEMA, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839-00200, Nairobi. (c) County Director of Environment, Embu County. 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 plan. MAMO B. MAMO, Ag. Director-General, MR/07344915 National Environment Management Authority.