GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 11393

PURSUANT to section 59 of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act, 1999, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has received an Environmental Impact Assessment Study Report for the above proposed project. The proponent, Safaricom PLC, proposes to install a subsea cable within the Kenya Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) with a Branching Unit (BU) within the EEZ separating it into Southern and Northern Branch. The Southern branch traversing from the Kenyan EEZ into Tanzanian waters and the Northern branch traversing into the Kenyan Territorial Sea (TS) with a landing on Nyali beach within Nyali Sub- county, Mombasa County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impact Mitigation Measures Loss of biodiversity • The Project will implement safety zones from sighted marine turtles or mammals, avoid offshore works during mega-fauna season (if possible), make sure equipment is well maintained, and minimize direct impacts to coral areas at the Mombasa Marine National Reserve 15th August, 2025 THE KENYA GAZETTE Impact Mitigation Measures (MMNR). Air quality /dust • Project vessels to operate in compliance with MARPOL 73/78 regarding limits on SO2 and NOx emissions, good site practices and regular repair to minimize dust and particulate emissions onshore from excavation spoil pits, minimize mud and debris deposition on local roads, and compliance with NEMA air quality standards. Water pollution • Hazardous waste and debris recovered from the seabed to be stored on vessel, avoid and minimize harmful substances discharges, implement Offshore Waste Management Plan (WMP), and waste management to comply with applicable Kenyan legislation and MARPOL 73/78. Noise pollution • Soundproof barriers, restricted working hours (0800–1700 hrs), use of low- noise machinery and standard vessels. All workers will be provided with PPE (ear protection) and comply with NEMA noise regulations. Tourism and recreation • Plan Project activities to occur concurrently as far as reasonably practicable, always maintain relevant communications and project signage on site during works, notify local community stakeholders in the affected areas recreationally to raise awareness of potential impacts including noise, dust, worker influx, and equipment blocking the landscape. Occupational health and safety • All workers will be provided with PPE (helmets, gloves, masks, and boots), undergo regular health checkups and safety drills, and have access to onsite first-aid stations, fire extinguishers, and emergency response plans. Fisheries • Early engagement with key stakeholders, including Notice to Mariners. Use sea plough and surface lay techniques to minimize impacts to benthic habitats. As- laid information to be provided to the local and relevant Kenyan authorities, avoid sensitive seabed features critical breeding and spawning periods as far as possible, allow fishing activity to occur outside safety buffer zone. Climate risks • Articulated pipes will be used in vulnerable near shore areas, seismic risk assessments used for route optimization, avoidance of high-risk coastal areas, flexible burial techniques to accommodate seabed shift, setback and elevation of coastal infrastructure, and closely monitor the fuel consumption and associated GHG / CO2 emissions as part of initiative to reduce emissions. Marine life disturbance and sedimentation • Avoid coral reef zones. • Use of divers to guide the process with care. Waste generation • Segregation of waste and disposal/management by a NEMA licensed waste handlers. EMF (exposure health concerns) • Public awareness (electro-magnetic frequency (EMF) from fibre is non-ionizing). The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Foresty, NHIF Building, 12th Floor, Ragati Road, Upper Hill, Upper Hill, P.O. Box 30126–00200, Nairobi. (b) Director-General, NEMA, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839–00200, Nairobi. (c) County Director of Environment, Mombasa 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, Director-General, MR/7796315 National Environment Management Authority.