GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 2768

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 EPC Turnkey contract for upgrading of Kibwezi–Kitui– Mwingi–Kandwia–Useuni Road. The proponent proposes to improve to bitumen standards of Kibwezi-Kitui-Usueni Road approximately 330km that will form a major link for Mombasa port and Ethiopia, as part of the northern corridor transport improvement project (NCTIP). The project is subdivided into three contracts namely Contract 1: Kibwezi to Kitui (145 Km); Contract 2: Kitui - Mwingi to Kandwia (103 Km); Contract 3: Kandwia - Tseikuru to Usueni (82 Km). The proposed project is located entirely in Eastern province and traverses several districts within the province covering a distance of 330km. The proposed alignment will generally follow Kibwezi – Kitui (B7) 145 km, Kitui – Kandwia 103km, and Kandwia-Usueni 82km The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Environmental issue Mitigation Measures Vegetation loss  Vegetation should only be cleared where it will interfere with road construction and/or present a hazard to traffic.  Cutting of trees, other than those mentioned above, for firewood by the workers housed in camps should be controlled.  Workers should be encouraged to use alternative sources of cooking fuel.  As far as practicable, materials should not be stockpiled on vegetated areas.  In areas where soils were compacted during road construction, such as along temporary access roads, the soil should be loosened through ripping to enable infiltration of water and growth of plants.  Water sources should be handed over to the community should be carefully selected to reduce possible overgrazing in the vicinity. Soil erosion, run-off  The success of mitigation measures for soil erosion depends on the design of the road drainage, soil stabilization along the roadside and reserves and the cooperation and participation of the local community.  Specific engineering solutions should be implemented to mitigate soil erosion.  All earth cuttings need to be at a gentle angle in order to allow vegetation to grow as steep sides tend to result in seeds washing away rather than having a chance to establish.  Soil holding structures should be constructed in very loose soils. Pollution  Use dust suppressants as far as possible, especially within the towns and at wildlife conservation areas.  All the workers should wear dust masks at all times when at the sites of high dust generation.  Warn the neighbourhood of possible generation of dust beyond normal levels. Waste management  Construction waste and domestic waste should be stored only in the specially designated places and removed regularly.  Disposal and burial of waste should be agreed upon in the established order before commencement of the works.  Discharge of any non-treated drain waters and waste to the rivers, streams, wetlands or on the surrounding land should be forbidden.  Partly inert waste materials can be used as filling material for reconstruction of road sub-grade.  Periodic inspection of construction works helps to ensure proper handling of waste materials.  Contractors should encourage reuse and recycling to minimize residual waste.  A handling protocol, e.g. waste storage away from public view, and provision of retention areas to contain accidental spills of toxic, hazardous, and harmful 2nd March, 2012 THE KENYA GAZETTE construction materials, such as caustic and acidic substances, oil, waste oil, diesel, and bitumen, should be prepared and implemented by the contractors Aesthetics landscape  Spoil materials, including solid waste produced at camping sites for road construction crews, should be properly disposed.  Improve quarries and borrow areas by rehabilitation to blend with the surrounding landscape. Noise and vibration  As far as possible, attempt to minimize noise, especially noise from heavy equipment when constructing the road through towns and shopping centers.  Special care should be taken where the construction site is near to sensitive receptors such as schools and hospitals  Ensure that construction equipment is operating optimally and with operational noise mufflers where possible. Health and safety  Road construction workers should be informed about diseases that are prevalent in the project area, and how they can minimize their exposure and transmission.  Mount regular HIV-AIDS awareness campaigns. Condoms should be made available to construction crews.  Contractors should provide workers with sufficient accommodation for married couples to stay together.  The Contractors should consider hiring a permanent nurse to attend to emergencies and to mount awareness campaigns amongst the workers.  Health service providers should be regularly consulted to determine any changes in disease patterns that may be associated with road construction.  The implementing agency will have to regularly discuss with their counterparts any health implications of on-going road construction.  Access roads for haulage trucks used during road construction should not be located near schools, hospitals and residential areas.  Provide warning to shop owners and other commercial businesses close to the proposed road at least two weeks before use of heavy equipment near their premises.  Install appropriate signs at road diversions, and these should be reflect able Road safety issues  Design and construction of rumble strips, speed bumps and erection of appropriate warning signs 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, Eastern Province. (d) District Environmental Officer, Machakos 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 approval process of the project. (EIA/5/2/796) Z. O. OUMA, for Director-General, MR/9095143 National Environment Management Authority.