GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 1665

PURSUANT to section 59 of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has received an Environmental Impact Assessment Study Report for the above proposed project. The proponent, National Irrigation Authority, proposes to undertake an Abbreviated Resettlement Action Plan (ARAP) studies for the proposed Rehabilitation and upgrade of the Ahero Irrigation Facilities (water pumping station, rehabilitation of the irrigation/drainage facilities, flood protection works and expansion of irrigation and drainage facilities) to Kasiru–Kolal in Ahero Irrigation Scheme-Ref No.LAAI-017-2023, Kisumu County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impacts Mitigation Measures Oil Spills and leaks  The maintenance of vehicles and other machinery should be in designated locations where potential pollution is unlikely such as on concrete platforms.  There should be regular maintenance of machinery to ensure they are in good working conditions and are free from leaks.  There should be adequate operator training to adopt measures that are preventive in the use of such machinery. Loss of Habitats  Educate the workers to avoid unnecessary killing of wildlife, especially protected species, on construction sites.  The alignment is a rehabilitation of already existing canals, there will be minimal disturbance.  Future modification of the canal routes should ensure an ecological survey is done. Soil Erosion  The topsoil should not be utilized during the construction activities.  Rehabilitation of de graded environment should be undertaken to stabilize the soil and therefore reduce the rate of soil erosion and siltation.  Soil conservation measures should be taken especially at stockpiled areas.  The excavation works should be compacted. Increased demand for red soils/gravel/construction material during dyke construction  The materials should be sourced from an approved site.  There should be adequate re-use of the excavated waste materials.  The proposed site quarries and borrow pits should be done carefully to minimize impacts on various land uses.  The borrow pits should be indicated on a plan and approved by the local authority.  There should be adequate landscaping, backfilling and draining of the depressed areas to prevent breeding grounds for disease vectors. Risk of child labour  Compliance with the minimum age set forth in the Child Labour Laws. Increased HIV/AIDs prevalence to the community and Construction workforce  Regular education and sensitization of workers and the local communities on the dangers and prevalence of the disease.  Instituting HIV/AIDS awareness among the project workers.  There should be adequate and regular passage of information regarding the spread and risk of contracting the disease.  There should be the provision of adequate prevention measures. Occupation health and safety hazards  There should be a comprehensive health and safety policy to safeguard the health of the workers including followings but not limited. 6th February, 2026 THE KENYA GAZETTE Impacts Mitigation Measures  The project site should be well sprinkled with water to reduce the dust that is produced.  Establish an assembly area for all workers in case of an accident and maintain a record of all works at the site at each time, in addition, workers need to be sensitized on construction safety measures.  Fully equipped first aid kits should be provided at the site and first aid training given to the supervisors for handling potential casualties.  Clean sanitary facilities and clean drinking water should be provided at the site as well.  Warning signs should be erected warning of construction activities and heavy machinery at the site.  Risky areas such as deep pits should be covered or fenced off to avoid accidents.  There should be proper hoarding of the site to control the movement of the public into the area.  All workers should be provided with full protective gear and there should be a proper use of PPEs. These include working boots, overalls, helmets, goggles, earmuffs, dust masks, gloves among others to safeguard their safety. Accidents, increased traffic and risk of traffic accidents  The contractor should ensure there is regular watering of dusty roads and maintenance during this stage.  The Contractor should have visible signages and traffic controllers to manage the flow and avoid snarl ups or accidents.  Establish a construction safety plan and ensure that workers are thoroughly familiar with it.  Ensure the safety of school children, especially during their commute to and from school. Potential impacts due to increase of irrigated rice cropping such as water- logging, soil salinization and sedimentation and nutrient Leaching  The use of fertilizer should be regulated and should be as is recommended by the agricultural Officer in charge.  AIS to train their IWUA on irrigation water management training, coupled with installation of water use control and regulation meters to curtail over- irrigation.  There should be adequate and regular monitoring of water and soil quality through laboratory analysis before project implementation and with every annual audit.  The intakes and canals should be desilted frequently.  The existing IWUA by-laws on cultivation limits to the river systems should be adhered to strictly and punitive action taken to any violators Pests and crop diseases  The farmers should be trained on pest and disease control and management, especially integrated pest management that combines chemical and environmentally friendly methods. Impacts Mitigation Measures  There should be an increased pest and disease surveillance to monitor the prevalence of existing pests and diseases, as well as the emergence of new ones, consequently, regular information needs to be disseminated to the farmers adequately to identify emerging pests and diseases. Human-wildlife conflict  KWS in consultations with the local community where possible should enlighten the locals not to kill wild animals within the project area but work with KWS to take them to conservancy areas.  KWS to have contact with people on the ground to report any cases of emergency for speedy action.  Where need be, key stakeholders to enhance public awareness and participation in conservation activities, Enforcement of wildlife Act.  KWS should occasionally conduct surveys in the area during the heavy rains to check for any cause for alarm and take necessary precautions. Overuse of irrigation water  Intake volume of the irrigation water to be withdrawn by the new pump should be aligned with the water right to avoid any adverse impacts to the downstream. Water borne diseases  The members of the community need to be advised to avoid bathing in the canals and using the same water for domestic use. Provision of appropriate guidance in cooperation with local offices to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases is recommended.  Report any increased/extreme occurence of these diseaseses in the scheme and sick immediate medical attention. Inappropriate maintenance/damages on the dyke  Monitor and maintain the renovated facility to ensure that there are no activities that interfere with its function. For example, there have been cases where embankments were intentionally damaged to make them easier to pass through by bicycle or motorcycle. 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. (b) County Director of Environment, Kisumu 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 this publication to the Director- General, NEMA to assist the Authority in the decision making process for this project. Kindly quote ref. No. NEMA/ENVIS/SR/00212. Comments can also be e-mailed to info@nema.go.ke MAMO B. MAMO, MR/8091045 Director-General. 460 460