GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 5084

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 project will involve construction of primary and secondary sewer network within Eldama Ravine Town and construction of waste water treatment works. The proposed investment entails construction of a 2Nr streams of waste water stabilization ponds with capacity to treat 5111 m3/d comprising of the following components; Inlet works and exhauster discharge bay, 2Nr facultative ponds, 8Nr maturation ponds, 10Nr sludge drying beds, grade 9 staff houses, waste water laboratory, associated facilities and amenities. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures Bio-Physical Environment Impacts on vegetation resources • Compensatory planting of trees i.e. plants at least twice the number of trees, about 900 in total either on farmer’s land or in public land within the project area. • Vegetation should only be cleared along the project corridor. • Areas to be cleared should be agreed and demarcated before the start of the clearing operations. • Also stage vegetation clearance is recommended so as not to clear the entire corridor all at once. • The use of existing cleared or disturbed areas for the contractor’s camp, stockpiling of materials etc. shall be encouraged. Water resources • Isolate solid wastes disrupted from the works during excavations for safe disposal. The wastes should be collected and 6th May, 2022 THE KENYA GAZETTE Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures disposed in approved sites. • Earth moving and excavations for the construction are carried out considering safety of the river and surface drainage. Control siltation of rivers and other surface drains. • Ensure spilt oil does not discharge into water sources Provide oil spill containment including concrete platform for servicing of construction equipment and holding of scrap oil drums. • Contain excavated soils so that they will not find their way into nearby water sources (of Kamelilo River). • Sensitize workers and enable them to properly handle concrete spillages or waste cement. Soil resources • The spilled oil from fuelling and servicing stations should be trapped in grit chambers for settling of suspended matter before being release into the environment. • Collected oil should be properly disposed to avoid any underground water contamination. • Earthworks should be controlled so that land that is not required for the road works is not disturbed. • Wherever possible, earthworks should be carried out during the dry season to prevent soil from being washed away by the rain. • Excavated materials and excess earth should be kept at appropriate sites approved by the supervising engineer. • The contractor should adhere to specified cut and fill gradients and planting embankments with shrubs and grass to reduce erosion and take care of stability problems of road embankments. Areas cleared for improving sight distance should be planted with grass to reduce erosion. Health and Safety Impacts Air pollution • Water sprays shall be used on all earthworks areas within 200 metres of human settlement especially during the dry season to reduce dust. • The removal of vegetation shall be avoided until such time as clearance is required and exposed surfaces shall be re-vegetated or stabilized as soon as practically possible. • Do not carry out dust generating activities (excavation, handling and transport of soils) during times of strong winds. • Water sprays shall be used on all earthworks areas. Vehicles delivering soil materials shall be covered to reduce spills and windblown dust. • Vehicle speeds shall be limited to minimize the generation of dust on site and on diversion and access roads. Noise and excessive vibration from construction equipment and vehicles • The Contractor will keep noise level within acceptable limits (60 decibels during the day and 35 decibels during the night) and construction activities shall, where possible, be confined to normal working hours in the residential areas. • Sensitive receptors, for example markets Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures such as Eldama Ravine markets and schools shall be notified by the contractor at least 5 days before construction is due to commence in their vicinity. Occupational health and safety risks associated with the project • Establish a Health and Safety Plan (HASP) for civil works areas ensuring the working hours are controlled and that employees are not allowed to extend the working hours beyond an acceptable limit for purposes of gaining extra pay. • Provide workers with gloves, ear gears, sturdy rubber boots and overalls to protect their skin from the effects of cement. • Provide workers training on safety procedures and emergency response such as fire and sewer pipe bursts. Solid waste generation from construction activities • A site waste management plan should be prepared by the contractor prior to commencement of construction works. This should include designation of appropriate waste storage areas, collection and removal schedule and identification of approved disposal site. • Ensure that the solid waste collection, segregation, and disposal system is functioning properly at all times during the construction phase. • Recycle and re-use wastes where possible such as scraps metal. Liquid wastes during the construction phase • Water containing pollutants such as concrete or chemicals should be directed to a conservancy tank for removal from the site where applicable. • The contractor shall prevent runoff loaded with sediments from flowing into Kamelilo River and other water springs within the project area. • No grey water runoff or uncontrolled discharges from the site or working areas to adjacent water sources. • The contractor shall ensure that the machines and equipment are in good condition to prevent leakages. • Interceptors such as sand can be used to prevent pollutants from reaching underground water, water pans and streams. • Ensure proper handling of lubricants, fuels and solvents while maintaining the equipment. Social Impacts Project impact to private property and sources of livelihood • The Project design has ensured that the Project Trunk and Secondary Sewers will follow road reserves, river riparian and existing storm water channels. • Implement provision of Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) for cases of land acquisition triggered by the project. Spread of communicable diseases and HIV/AIDS infection • Develop appropriate training and awareness materials for information, education. • Develop an intervention strategy compatible with the construction programme to address success of the HIV/AIDS prevention and provide peer educators for sustainability in collaboration with other stakeholders. • Integrate monitoring of HIV/AIDS 2422 2422 Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures preventive activities as part of the construction supervision. Basic knowledge, attitude and practices are among the parameters to be monitored, and particularly on provision of condoms, status testing and use of ARVs. Labour influx to the project area • Effective community engagement and strong grievance mechanisms on matters related to labour. • Effective contractual obligations for the contractor to adhere to the mitigation of risks against labour influx. • Proper records of labour force on site while avoiding child and forced labour. • Comply to provisions of Labour Relations Act, 2012 and Work Place Injuries and Benefits Act (WIBA, 2007). • The contractor shall require his employees, sub-contractors, sub-consultants, and any personnel thereof engaged in construction works to individually sign and comply with a code of conduct. Pollution of water resources (Kamelilo River) by raw sewage from blocked sewer pipes and manholes • Regular cleaning of grit chambers and sewer lines to remove grease, grit, and other debris that may lead to sewer backups. • Regular inspection of the system to ensure performance is maintained at high levels. • Regular monitoring and sampling of the waste water at influent and effluent points as well as in the receiving water bodies; (BUWASCO). • Communities living within the river basins where the trunk sewers will be constructed should be enlightened on dangers of using raw sewerage to irrigate farmlands. • The quality of the discharging sewage into the river will be an important parameter. Continuous generation and sharing of sewage quality data on pre-scheduled monitoring programmes will be necessary. Odour menace from wastewater treatment works • Design consultant and (Chemususu Water and Sanitation Company) to ensure appropriate covering/ventilation of the pre- treatment unit. • (Chemususu Water and Sanitation Company) to appropriate handling and removal of grit/grease. • Ensure proper sizing and alignment of the lagoons. • To scum is appropriately disposed off or properly stabilized. • To ensure that the pond series have adequate water flow and aeration to reduce the potential of odour formation. • The perimeter of the proposed site should be vegetated with trees and plants of varying heights thereby forming windbreaker and reduce dispersion of odour. • Repair the roofs of the sludge drying beds to ensure quick drying of sludge and appropriate disposal to reduce odour emanating from wet sludge. Risks associated with sludge from the waste water • (Chemususu Water and Sanitation Company)during operation and maintenance of the Waste Water Treatment Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures treatment plant (WWTP) Plant (WWTP) will dry sludge on the drying beds before disposing off. • Dried sludge could be used to make brickettles used as charcoal substitute or be sold to farmers as fertilizers. • Excess sludge can be disposed designated landfill, and only be for disposing dry odourless sludge will be disposed. • Preparation and enforcement of operational guidelines for sludge management by Baringo County Government. Solid wastes impacts at WWTP screens • Develop a comprehensive Waste Management Plan (WMP) for management of solid wastes from screen chambers. • Employ personnel to maintaining hygiene and cleanliness of the WWTP. • Solid wastes once removed from screens shall be collected and disposed appropriately as required by waste Management Regulations of (2006) and Baringo County Government by laws. Risk of invasion of birds, rodents, mammals and associated reptiles • Keep the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) clean to limit the attraction of birds which scavenge for insects and maggots from the ponds and sludge beds. • The sewage treatment plants should be fenced off to limit encroachment. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) The Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, NHIF Building, 12th Floor, Ragati Road, Upper Hill, 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, Baringo County. A copy of the EIA report can be downloaded at www.nema.go.ke National Environmental 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 for this project. MAMO B. MAMO, MR/3643056 Director-General.