GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 496

Pursuant to Regulation 21 of the Environmental Management and Coordination (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, 2003, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has received an Environmental Impact Assessment Study Report for the above proposed project. The Proponent, Kenya Electricity Transmission Company is proposing to involve the construction of a 220kV double circuit transmission line from Kamburu to Embu, then Kibirigwi (Kiganjo) and terminate in Thika. The project will comprise of the transmission Line from Kamburu—Embu—Kibirigwi—Thika 220kV D/c line (147km) and 4 Substations: extension of 220kV substation at Kamburu; extension of 132kV substation at Embu; new 220/132kV substation at Kibirigwi and extension of 132kV substation at Thika. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impacts Mitigation Measures Occupational health • Ensure that all building plans are approved and safety by the Local Authority and the local Occupational Health and Safety Office. • There shall be displayed at prominent places within the site the prescribed abstract of the OSHA and the relevant notices as stipulated in section 121 of the OSHA, 2007. •Ensure that provisions for reporting incidents, accidents and dangerous occurrences during construction using prescribed forms obtainable from the local Occupational Health and Safety Office (OHSO) are in place. •Provisions must be put in place for the formation of a Health and Safety Committee, in which the employer and the workers are represented. •All floors, steps, stairs and passages of the premises must be of sound construction and properly maintained. •Design suitable documented emergency preparedness and evacuation procedures to be used during any emergency. 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. fox 67839 00200, Nairobi, (b)Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, NHIF Building, Community, P.O. Box 30126- 00100, Nairobi. (c)County Director of Environment, Nairobi City County. Noise and vibration • Sensitise construction vehicle drivers and machinery operators to switch off engines of vehicles or machinery not being used. •Regular servicing of engines and machine parts to reduce noise generation. •Ensure that all generators and heavy duty equipment are insulated or placed in enclosures (containers) to minimize ambient noise levels. •Trees to be planted around the site to provide some buffer against noise propagation. •The noisy construction works will entirely be planned to be during day time when most of the neighbours will be at work. •Provide necessary PPE to workers who may be exposed to high levels of noise and ensure proper and constant use. •All construction equipment and machinery to be used must be tested to verify if they are compliant with Kenya and the internationally acceptable standards of noise. Air Pollution • Avoid excavation works in extremely dry weather. •Sprinkle water on graded access routes when necessary to reduce dust generation by construction and vehicles. 20th January, 2017 THE KENYA GAZETTE 517 •Stockpiles of earth should be enclosed / covered I watered during dry or windy conditions to reduce dust emissions. •PPE to be provided to employees and ensure proper and constant use. •Regular servicing of engines and machine parts to reduce exhaust emission generation. •Alternative non-fuel construction equipment shall be used where feasible. Increased solid waste • Use of an integrated solid waste generation management system i.e. the 3 R's: 1. Reduction at source 2. Reuse 3. Recycle •Use of durable, long-lasting materials that will not need to be replaced as often, thereby reducing the amount of construction waste generated over time. •Provide facilities for proper handling and storage of construction materials to reduce the amount of waste caused by damage. •Use building materials that have minimal or no packaging to avoid the generation of excessive packaging waste. •Reuse packaging materials such as Removed wooden poles,cartons, cement bags, empty metal and plastic containers to reduce waste at site. •Waste collection bins to be provided at designated points on site. •Dispose waste more responsibly by contracting a registered waste handler who will dispose the waste at designated sites or landfills only and in accordance with the existing laws. Generation of wastewater • Provide means for handling sewage generated at the construction site. •Conduct regular checks for sewage pipe blockages or damages since such vices can lead to release of the effluent into the land and water bodies. •Monitor effluent quality regularly to ensure that the stipulated discharge rules and standards are not violated. Oil spills hazards • Install oil trapping equipment in areas where there is a likelihood of oil spillage e.g. during maintenance of vehicles. •In case of an oil spill, immediate clean up measures will be instituted. •Storage and liquid impoundment areas for fuels, raw and in-process material solvents, wastes and finished products should be designed with secondary containment to prevent spills and the contamination of soil, ground and surface water. •A written substations response plan should be prepared and retained on the site and the workers should be trained to follow specific procedures in the event of a spill. •Collected used oils should be re-used, disposed of appropriately by licensed waste handlers, or be sold for reuse to licensed firms. Destruction of existing • Conduct selective clearing of vegetation vegetation and habitat on the way-leave corridor. Avoid unnecessary vegetation clearing; only tall trees that pose a danger to the transmission line and vegetation on the foot plinth of the tower to be removed. •Ensure proper demarcation and delineation of the project area to be affected by construction works. •Specify locations for trailers and equipment, and areas of the site which should be kept free of traffic, equipment, and storage. •Designate access routes and parking within the site. •With Assistant from community, KWS and KFS, initiate a tree planting exercise. •Design and implement an appropriate landscaping programme for the substations site. •Support community initiatives in tree planting. Disturbance on • Ensure no worker engage in acts of wildlife poaching. •Restrict construction to day time. •Observe applicable Game Reserve regulations. •Bush clearing to be selective. Only tall trees on the wayleave corridor or vegetation on the footprints of the towers to be removed. •Consult the local KWS officer and conservancy owners to advice on construction timings to avoid disturbing wildlife. Impacts on workers' and • Ensure strict compliance with the community health Occupational Safety and Health Act and safety (OSHA) 2007. •Prohibit access by unauthorized personnel into the construction site. •Train all employees and regularly sensitize them on safe working procedures. •Periodic community sensitization of the dangers posed by the project. •Place warning signs where necessary. •Provide necessary PPEs to workers. •Erect a perimeter fence to enclose the substations. Soil erosion and storm- • Surface runoff and roof water shall be water runoff harvested and stored in tanks so that it can be used for cleaning purposes. •Apply soil erosion control measures such as levelling of the project site to reduce run-off velocity and increase infiltration of storm water into the soil. •Ensure that construction vehicles are restricted to use existing graded roads. •Ensure that any compacted areas are ripped to reduce run-off. •Roof catchments will be used to collect the storm water for some substations uses. •Construction of water pans to collect storm water for substations use, tree planting 1,..(1 landscaping. Increase in social vices • Periodic sensitization forums for including HIV/AIDS employees on ethics, morals; general good behaviour and the need for the project to co-exist with the neighbours. •Guidance and counselling on HIV/AIDS and other STDs to employees. •Provision of condoms. •Contractor to have a strong policy on sexual harassment and abuse of office guided by proponent's policy on the same. Resettlement and loss of • Conduct consultation meetings with use Project Affected Persons and ensure timely compensation for loss of property and land use. Ensure adherence to country legal legislations and World Bank Safeguard Policy 4.12 on Involuntary Resettlement. 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)Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, NHIF Building, Community, P.O. Box 30126- 00100, Nairobi. (c)County Director of Environment, Embu County. (d)County Director of Environment, Kirinyaga County. (e)County Director of Environment, Kiambu 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.