GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 1764

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, African Economic Zone Limited is proposing to step up a special Economic Zone Industrial Park at Plateau Area, Kesses Sub- county, Uasin Gishu County, on L.R. No. 6170/63 Original No. 6170/60/3 measuring 692 acres. The Africa Economic Zones Limited intends to initiate implementation of projects that will be undertaken in phases to drive economic growth through industrial investments, socio- economic though employments, as well as development in Uasin Gishu County and the country at large. The phased project — dubbed AEZ Pearl River — Guangdong New South Group Limited, will supervise the construction of an industrial park within the said land parcel. This will consist of establishment of various industries including agro-processing, energy, machinery, engineering, construction, electronic, ICT, chemical and pharmaceuticals. It is also anticipated that the proposed developments at the site will also incorporate establishing a science and technology hub at the parcel. Which will accommodate a technology park, a university, an IT hub and an incubator to support ICT graduates to develop and commercialize new technology. It will further consist of a convention center, administrative, residential, recreational and green zones, administration zone, schools and a social hall, a public library, administration offices, public square and gardens. A wildlife conservancy, film industry, entertainment and tourism are some of the zones in the long-term intentions of the project. 28th February, 2020 THE KENYA GAZETTE 1149 Air/noise pollution Impacts Occupational health and safety Social concerns Encroachment, • displacement and resettlement of project affected persons • Proposed Mitigation Measures • Develop soil erosion control measures which should include silt management structures. • Limit the circulation of heavy machinery to minimal areas to reduce soil compaction and vegetation clearance. • Rehabilitate material excavated sites. • Avoid burning vegetative elements on private/productive land. • Use cleaner and environmental friendly methods in bitumen handling. • Observe the Water Act, 2002 and the 30% water reserve rights for downstream users. • Develop and implement a water management plan to include measures on conservation and controlled usage of the resource such as rain water harvesting. • Observe the Water Resource Management Rules of 2007 and its subsequent guidelines, the Water Allocation Guidelines in regards to ground water abstraction, surface water (rivers, spring and lake) abstraction. • Obtain a water abstraction permit from WRMA and use metering methods to ensure water is abstracted to recommended limit. • Use alternative sources of fuel. • Promote the development of community nurseries. • Environmental conservation measures should be instituted as part of the project. • Install appropriate drainage structures culverts, mitre drains. • Avoid loading rivers, dams with silt. • Provide an oil spill kit at construction site. • Avoid melting, spilling and burying tar in productive land. • Use cleaner production mechanisms and environmental management systems where appropriate. • Avoid spilling oil and other waste into water bodies. • Operate equipment with air pollution control/environmental management systems. Proposed Mitigation Measures • Insulate noisy machines when working near animal habitats. • Maintain vehicle and machinery in good condition in order to minimize gas emissions and noise. • Avoid bitumen melting activities in open spaces. • Avoid noisy operations in the night. Appropriate definition of road reserve. Development of structures to deter encroachment. Communicate with community members early enough before commencement of works. • Locate areas for relocating PAP's to avoid interfering with their livelihoods. • Observe WB requirements on Involuntary Resettlement (OP 4.12). • Provide road safety facilities including road signs, speed breaks, footpaths, foot bridges. • Provide workers with PPE&C's. • Conduct social awareness campaign in project areas. • Recruit locals as laborers as much as possible to reduce influx of immigrants to communities. • Provide housing and appropriate sanitation facilities for workers including mobile toilets. • Provide neutralizing and detoxification foods like milk to workers handling chemicals. • Comply with work place legal requirements. • Employ competent work force or conduct training and induction courses to workers. • Institute Safety drills, disaster preparedness and management programmes. • Implement HIV/AIDS and communicable diseases programmes in conjunction with relevant ministries. • Accord local community employment and business opportunity as a priority. • Identify areas of cultural importance to avoid interference with them when excavating materials. • Establish labour camps at reasonable distance from shopping areas and other local social places. • Where possible offer women equal employment opportunities to men. • Contractor in collaboration with proponent should develop corporate social responsibility programmes (CSRP). • Contractor should hold continuous site meetings with workers and community members. • Develop programmes that can promote peace and harmony such as market area cleanups and riparian area rehabilitation. • Rehabilitate infrastructure damaged due project road activities. • Compensate land owners appropriately on acquired materials. Impacts Destruction of physical environment Increased water demand/supply and water quality Inappropriate drainage Oil spill contamination • Do not dispose any form of waste in water bodies. • Keep natural water channels free from obstruction. • Consult with community members when identifying water sources to avoid conflicts and abstract water according to conditions of acquired permits taking into consideration the quantified reserve for the water body in question. • Avoid water contamination and pollution activities at wetlands and riparian areas. • Implement appropriate construction site management practices like excavating areas to be worked on only, control flow of excavated materials, cover areas once work is complete. Destruction of • All trees uprooted to pave way for road flora and fauna expansion and access construction should be replanted with indigenous trees. Impacts The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, NHIF Building, Community, P.O. Box 30126-00100, Nairobi. (b) Director-General, NEMA, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839-00200, Nairobi. (c) County Director of Environment, Uasin Gishu 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 regarding this plan. Proposed Mitigation Measures sensitized on worker rights and responsibilities in line with Kenyan legislation to ensure that positive benefits around labour issues are enhanced. • The proponent will put in place a grievance redress mechanism that will be accessible to all workers, whether permanent or temporary, directly or indirectly employed. • KeNHA and respective Government agencies will undertake surveillance to ensure that no children or forced labour is employed directly, by the proponent, and to the extent possible by third parties related to the project. MR/0786579 Increase in economic activities • Local sources of supplies and services shall be prioritized, as far as feasible, as a way of boosting local economy and building capacity of local businesses. MAMO B. MAMO, Ag. Director-General, National Environment Management Authority. Capacity enhancement of workforce Traffic congestion