GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 605

Pursuant to Regulation 21 of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination (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 National Highways Authority, the proposed Project is an expansion and improvement of the existing Nairobi– Nakuru–Mau Summit highway. It is part of the A8 highway and of the Northern Corridor that connects the Port of Mombasa via Nairobi to Malaba at the border with Uganda and onwards to Kampala. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures Land acquisition and involuntary displacement risks • Compensation for loss of assets at replacement cost. • Ensuring that resettlement activities are implemented with appropriate disclosure of information, consultation, and the informed participation of those affected. • To improve, or restore, the livelihoods and standards of living of displaced persons. • To improve living conditions among physically displaced persons through the provision of adequate housing with security of tenure at resettlement sites • Continuous complaints and grievance management system should be maintained throughout the project implementation phase. All pertinent stakeholders should be involved in the compensation and grievance redress mechanism during implementation of RAP. Traffic congestion. • Provision of alternative routes in areas where accesses have been disrupted. • Dust suppression measures to enhance visibility at construction sites for oncoming traffic and road users. • Plans for short diversion routes which should be well maintained by regular sprinkling to reduce dust. Adhere to road reserve if possible. • Provision and maintenance of clear traffic signages of ongoing construction works, regulate speed limits and diversion signage to notify approaching traffic. • Project vehicle should have and only use designated parking areas. • Sensitize workers and area residents on the importance of exercising care in the project area in as far as traffic movement and other safety issues are concerned. THE KENYA GAZETTE 25th January, 2019 212 212 Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures • Obtain permission from inhabitants and Wajir county government if diversion routes go beyond the Right of Way. • Reinstatement of diversion routes (and old tracks) to original condition. • Institute a traffic management plan incorporating adequate temporary signages and flagmen as necessary. Excessive noise and vibration • The noise emission characteristics should be considered during selection and mobilization of construction equipment. • Where feasible, fit equipment with rock mufflers, sound insulations, silencers to lower the levels of noise emission. • Sensitize construction workers to switch off machinery and vehicles when not in use. • Staff on active project sites with continuous exposure should be provided and encouraged to fit in their Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs). • Locate noisy operations like batching plant away from the densely settled areas. • Where noisy activities must be undertaken near sensitive receptors, the neighbouring occupants must be informed in advance and works limited to day time only. Liquid waste and hydrocarbon spills • Machinery maintenance should be done only on purpose-built garages that meet hydrocarbon containment measures and controlled drainage. • Minor service and washing areas placed/ constructed with containment basins to ensure that the surrounding areas (including groundwater) are not polluted. • All grey water runoff or uncontrolled discharges from the site/working areas (including wash down areas) to water courses shall be contained, treated and properly channeled. • Flash toilets at camp sites should be connected to septic tanks or other treatment facilities approved by the county government. • Water containing such pollutants as cements, concrete, lime, chemicals and fuels shall be discharged into a conservancy tank for removal from site. Dust and air pollution • Unnecessary vegetation clearance to be avoided through clear demarcation of construction areas. • Where practicable, re-vegetate disturbed areas to minimize ground exposure. • Sprinkling water (at least twice a day) on the accesses and excavated surfaces during the construction period to suppress dust generation. • Limit the speed of construction vehicles (maximum speed limit 40 kph/25 mph) on earth road. • Provision of appropriate protective personal equipment including respirators and dustcoats to exposed workers. • Ensuring the location of material stockpiles are away from human settlements and business premises. • Covering loaded trucks during the transportation of material. Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures Solid wastes • Reduce generation of solid waste at the source through proper planning and procurement of construction materials. • Segregation of solid wastes and provision of suitable and well labelled waste receptacles within the camp and at active construction sites. • Reuse excavated top soil for landscaping of the site as far as practical. • Disposed solid waste at designated sites through licensed waste handlers. • Establish a segregation and grading waste management system to manage garbage and other forms of waste generated. • Prioritize options of waste reduction, reuse and recycling, particularly papers, polythene bags and plastic wrappers and containers and other materials that can possibly be recycled. • Sensitize resident workers and frequent visitors (especially those operating food catering services) at project sites on proper waste management practices especially hazardous materials and risks of contaminations. Increased soil erosion • Material excavation should be minimized and restricted to designated locations. • The private concessionaire should ensure that construction related impacts like erosion and cut slope destabilization should be addressed through landscaping and grassing. • Re-vegetation should be done in tandem with construction activities to avoid exposure of bare ground to agents of erosion. • Enforce landscaping and restoration of the construction site prior to decommissioning of the construction site. Vegetation loss • Restrict vegetation clearing to project sites by clear demarcation of areas to be used. • Thickets and bush shrubs should be preserved wherever possible through selective clearing, especially along the seasonal riverine areas. • Siting of camp sites should be done away from densely vegetated areas. 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 30521, Nairobi. (c) County Director of Environment, Nairobi City County. (d) County Director of Environment, Nakuru County. (e) County Director of Environment, Nyandarua County. (f) County Director of Environment, Narok 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. GEOFFREY WAHUNGU, Director-General, MR/5815299 National Environment Management Authority. 25th January, 2019 THE KENYA GAZETTE