GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 10586

PURSUANT to regulation 21 of Environmental (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) has received an Environmental Impact Assessment Study Report for the implementation of the proposed 80 MW Muhoroni thermal power project on L.R. No. Kipsitet/Kericho/387 at kipsitet area in Soin Division, Kericho District. The Proponent (Kenya Electricity Generating Company Ltd) has proposed to install an 80 MW MSD thermal power plant for generation of power. The MSD engines will run on Heavy Fuel Oil 3rd August, 2012 THE KENYA GAZETTE (HFO) with all auxiliary equipment. The plant is expected to give a total output of 80 MW at site ambient conditions. The structures and equipment to be installed consist of: a power house, an office block, two above ground fuel storage tanks, pumps for fuel transfer, fuel lines, additional transformers, power cables, switch gear and protection and metering equipment for off–take at 11 kV. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Possible Impact Mitigation measures Generation of solid waste and Construction waste  Use spoils for landscaping after project completion.  Minimal domestic solid waste generated, stored in refuse bins temporarily before being transported for proper disposal.  Segregate solid waste, minimize and use excess concrete as fill material during civil works.  Provide suitable and properly labeled solid waste containers at strategic points and encourage use of the same by staff and visitors to the site.  Accumulate and return empty plastic containers and lube oil drums to the suppliers. Contract a licensed solid waste transporter to collect and transport solid waste to approved disposal sites. Loss of vegetation cover  Proper removal of Topsoil and stockpiled near the site, and preserved for landscaping of the site.  Confine activities within the demarcated area.  Landscaping of the site incorporating 2- 3 rows of suitable trees along the perimeter fence as buffer zone between the project site and areas frequently accessed by the local population. Vehicular emissions and dust  Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as dust masks would be worn in the immediate vicinity of the operations during excavations, concreting and in general handling of cement, sand, and other friable materials.  Spraying water on unpaved road accesses regularly and at handling sites for cement and on stockpiles.  Maintained Construction equipment and vehicles in good working order to ensure minimum emissions including Carbon Monoxide, Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulphur, as well as suspended particulate matter.  Cover trucks removing soils from the site , delivering sand and cement to the site to minimize dust blowing into the surrounding neighbourhood. Water abstraction from the existing borehole  Ensure designs require less concrete works and minimal consumption of water.  Contain construction wastewater in a sedimentation pond.  Monitor the quantity of water used and control water consumption.  Recycle and reuse construction wastewater, where possible. Noise and Vibrations  Measure noise levels to determine noise hazardous areas and provide PPE (hearing protection) to persons who must operate within or visit the identified high noise areas.  Equip project site with standard noise attenuation features such silencers or lagging materials.  Ensure construction machine engines are well maintained and Proper engine tune-up of construction equipment.  Post appropriate notices to warn drivers against unnecessary hooting of vehicles.  Keep machinery covers and panels closed and well fitted. Bolts/fasteners done up tightly avoids rattles.  Confine activities between 8.00 a.m and 5.00 p.m. where possible. Public and Occupational safety and health aspects  Ensure all equipment are inspected before use for appropriate safe guards and that the machine operators are trained on machine safety procedures.  Provide and enforce use of PPE (helmets, gloves, coveralls, safety boots).  Ensure the working hours are controlled and that employees are not allowed to extend the working hours beyond an acceptable limit for purposes of gaining extra pay.  Ensure appropriate road safety signage are placed and drivers adhere to the requirements of such signage and erection of bumps where human and vehicular traffic have high interaction opportunities.  Develop and implement emergency response plans and procedures for risks expected during construction phase such as fire, oil spills and accidents.  Document and display at the site emergency phone contacts for the nearest ambulance service provider, police post, dispensary as well as KenGens‘ Project Engineer. Fuel and/oil spills  Minimized waste oil and sludge leakages and/ or spillages through regular inspection for leakages and timely maintenance of the Engines to ensure they are in good working conditions.  Incorporate wall bunds for containment of accidental waste oil/ sludge spillage.  Display at the site emergency response procedures for spillage incidents.  Provide spill response kits at strategic positions within the power station for containing spillage.  Use impervious concrete surface at the tank farm and fuel offloading area to prevent direct contact of fuel spills with soil resources. Waste water discharges  Reduce and recycle engine cooling water during power plant operation.  Discharge human sanitary wastewater into an on-site Wastewater Treatment Plant consisting of Septic Tanks, Aerators and Soak Pits.  Regular inspection of the sewer line for leakages.  Contract a NEMA licensed sewage exhauster to exhaust sewage before it THE KENYA GAZETTE 3rd August, 2012 2878 2878 overflows onto the earths surface.  Discharge wash water into the public storm drain through an oil-water interceptor.  Implement an oil skimming programme for oil-water interceptors to ensure normal functioning.  Carry out water quality test for the waste water discharged to ensure the effluent complies with the standards for discharge into the environment. Traffic build-up  Document and display at the power station traffic management plan.  Carry out traffic survey along the Kisumu-Kericho road at least once in a period of three months and schedule deliveries at times of light traffic load to avoid congestion.  Maintaining a record of incidents and accidents at the site. Based on this record, incidents and accidents should be investigated and appropriate actions taken.  Educate truck drivers on road safety tips.  Use appropriate road safety signs along the Kericho-Kisumu road from the junction heading to Muhoroni and along the site access road. Negative social aspects (HIV, sexually transmitted diseases and crimes  Collaborate with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs), create awareness and sensitize employees and local community on HIV and AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.  Install condom dispensers in the toilets and continually stock condoms for use by workers and/or visitors.  Organize for mobile Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) services for both staff and the local community.  Ensure security is put in place through site fencing and deployment of security guards.  Install a siren at the power station for use during emergency incidents. 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) Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, NHIF Building, Community, P.O. Box 30521, Nairobi (c) Provincial Director of Environment, Rift Valley Province. (d) District Environmental Officer, Kericho District. 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 of the plan. B. M. LANGWEN, for Director-General, MR/0157037 National Environment Management Authority.