GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 12009

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 Mount Kenya wildlife Estate at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, L.R. No. 2781/1, Laikipia East District, Laikipia County. The Proponent (Ol Pejeta Conservancy) of the proposed development of Mt. Kenya Wildlife Estate is proposing to carry on construction of 66 residential houses made up of both 3 bed villas and 4 bed villas which will be built within a secure enclosed estate (using the existing fence) filled with harmless ―plains game‖. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Possible Impact Mitigation measures Devegetation, soil erosion Alteration of landscape quality  Develop soil erosion control measures during and after clearing works.  Clear vegetation only where necessary.  Replace any vegetation damaged accidentally.  Undertake construction works during dry seasons to minimize chances of erosion.  Have a collective drainage system for the area and vegetated outlets. Lack of cooperation and misunderstanding  Enhance consultation activities and stakeholders‘ scope of coverage during THE KENYA GAZETTE 24th August, 2012 3102 3102 amongst various key stakeholders EIA study.  Provide technical and socio-economic facts about the proposed project. Possible accidents and injuries to workers on the site  Keep a general accident inventory at the site.  Provide and enforce use of protective clothing and equipment.  Prepare evacuation plans including provisions for emergency exits, fire alarms, standby car for emergency and rescue, and a First Aid box. Increased generation of solid wastes such as debris, pieces of plastic, metals etc  Ensure separation of biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes.  Encourage use of recyclable materials.  Provide adequate waste collection bins.  Sell wastes to NEMA licensed recyclers and fabricators.  Preserve reusable wastes such as pieces of metal for future use in maintenance works. Possible noise pollution disturbing the neighborhood. Possible disturbance to animal serenity  Restrict noisy construction works to daytime only.  Schedule construction time with movement of wildlife in the Ranch in mind. Destruction of the cultural manyatta  Relocate the manyatta to a more strategic point (plans are underway to put the manyatta outside Golf 2 (main gate) in a more business strategic location as this is the point for tourist entry). Possible occurrence of liquid wastes disposal problems such as leaking sewer lines, overflowing sewage, and obnoxious smells due to inadequacies of the Jet 3000 GDP Sewage Treatment Plants.  Ensure adequate maintenance through regular checks on sewer lines damage or blockages.  OPDC should work in partnership with NAWASCO or any other NEMA licensed body during the operation of the sewage plant.  OPDC should obtain a license for wastes disposal from NEMA in line with the Waste Management Rules 2006. Possible overflows and the resultant foul smells and health risks.  OPDC should set up a waste management monitoring system for the Jet 3000 GDP plants. Localized solid wastes management problems within the project site  OPDC to set aside and construct a central garbage collection point for onward transportation to NEMA approved dumping site.  Provide adequate enclosed garbage points in every cluster for containing wastes before transportation to the central point.  Ensure prompt collection of garbage from the central dumping site by NEMA approved service provider to ensure that the garbage is not held beyond reasonable number of days.  OPDC to create awareness among the residents on the need to separate biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes.  OPDC to sensitize residents to use organic wastes generated from their kitchens as compost in their kitchen gardens. Possible attacks by wildlife on humans resulting in injuries and deaths  OPDC to continue implementing its stringent policies on control of wildlife.  Create awareness to residents and visitors on possible wildlife attacks.  Have enough guides/security guards in place.  Put in place a rapid response system in case of attacks by wildlife. Possible overexploitation/ depletion of ground water resource  Adhere to water permit conditions.  Monitor water levels.  Ensure efficiency in water use.  Alternate underground water use with roof catchments/rain water harvesting. Disposal of wastes near boreholes  Ensure borehole sanitary seals are working efficiently.  Monitor water quality periodically.  Erect a fence around the borehole. Possible overexploitation/ depletion of ground water resource  Adhere to water permit conditions.  Monitor water levels.  Ensure efficiency in water use.  Alternate underground water use with roof catchments/rain water harvesting. Vegetation degradation around water holes and dams  Plant trees and grass around the borehole.  Construct acceptable number of small capacity water holes/dams spread across the project site. 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) County Director of Environment, Laikipia 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 of the plan. B. M. LANGWEN, for Director-General, MR/0157364 National Environment Management Authority.