GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 1316

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 Railways, proposes to construct a commuter metre-rail at Miritini that is a 2.96 km long, single-track railway with a designed speed of 50 km per hour, a new rail bridge crossing Makupa causeway with a length of 480m, a Miritini station complex building, and a steel overpassing Mombasa County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impacts Mitigation measures Clearance of vegetation • Compensatory tree planting within the affected areas – planting and nurturing until well rooted. • Stage vegetation clearance to minimize clearance of trees that maybe don’t need to be cleared. • Consult with the local community elders before any Baobab tree is cleared. • Compensation for any tree that had an Impacts Mitigation measures economic benefit to the owner. • Divert all storm water from construction area in such a way that it doesn’t drain directly into the mangroves. Excessive noise and vibration • Installing noise dumpers on construction equipment and vehicles. • Regular serving of construction equipment and vehicles. • Drivers should be advised to avoid unnecessary hooting and turn off engine when not moving. • Inform sensitive receptors and the community in advance of activities that will generate loud noises and excessive vibrations. • Provide workers with ear plugs or earmuffs when operating or near equipment producing noises above the required levels. • Ensure compliance to EMCA, Noise and Excessive Vibration Pollution (Control) Regulations, 2009. Reduced air quality • Sprinkling of water, when need be to suppress dust both on the areas under construction and access roads. • Limit vehicle speed limits after careful site and safety assessments. • Cover excavated material on site and on Lorries during transportation. • Ensure vehicles are well serviced and maintained. • Sprinkling of water along access roads to reduce blowing of dust into the air. • Preparation and implementation of an air quality monitoring plan to ensure compliance to limits set in schedule 1 of EMCA, Air Quality Regulations, 2014. Generation of waste • Provide bins at the various working stations. • Identify an approved area to dump excavated material and construction remains. • Contract a licensed waste handler to dispose solid waste. • Create awareness among workers on proper waste management. • Prepare and implement a waste management plan. Impact on soil • Proper waste management. • Frequent servicing and maintenance of construction vehicles and equipment. • Servicing vehicles and equipment in a bunded area to contain any spill. No servicing of vehicles and equipment near Makupa bridge. • Avail a spill kit in case of an oil spill. • Storage of excavated soil on flat surfaces away from waterways. Impact on water resources • Relocation of water pipes and water points prior to commencement of works. • Frequent servicing and maintenance of construction vehicles and equipment. • Servicing vehicles and equipment in a bunded area to contain any spill. No servicing of vehicles and equipment near Makupa bridge/Indian Ocean. • Avail a spill kit in case of an oil spill. • Stacking of excavated soil on flat areas, away 474 474 Impacts Mitigation measures from storm water paths and away from the ocean. Displacement of people and businesses • Conduct a resettlement action Plan. • Ensure all PAPs are compensated before works start. • Have guidance sessions on how to go about relocating and starting life in a new location. • Provide counsellors during the relocation period and construction period. Physically or on call. Impact on cultural features • Consult with the local community elders before any Baobab tree is cleared • Compensate for relocation of the grave. Relocation of infrastructure • Relocation should be done before construction starts. • Issue persons to be affected in advance of the disruption of services. • Proper planning to ensure relocation does not take too long and cause more inconvenience than it should. Impact on construction material sites • An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) should be carried out for new material sites where this had not been done. • Material sites where the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) had been done, the contractor should ensure that the Environment and Social Management Plan provided is implemented to mitigate negative impacts. Spread of diseases • Train workers on proper COVID 19 prevention measures. • Provide wash stations or sanitizers for workers around the site. • Monitor and keep worker records such as temperature when coming in and leaving the site. • Adhere to the recommended health measures put in place by the government to control the virus from spreading. • Train and sensitize employees and the community on HIV and AIDS. • Have HIV and AIDS educational posters around the site. Occupational health and safety • Prepare and implement an Occupational Health and Safety Management Plan. • Ensure relevant safety signs are erected at the required places. • High risk activities should only be conducted by persons well trained and experienced in the field. • Provide the right tools for the right task. • Ensure machinery are inspected and maintained regularly. • Provide workers with relevant PPE for the different tasks being conducted. • Have relevant professionals to assist at the site such as a health and safety officer, first aider and fire fighters. Increased traffic • Limit delivery of construction material to off peak hours between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. • Erection of relevant safety signs at various locations such as trucks turning, speed limit Impacts Mitigation measures signs, diversions etc. 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, 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, Mombasa County. A copy of the report can be downloaded at www.nema.go.ke 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 project. Comments can also be emailed to dgnema@nema.go.ke MAMO B. MAMO, Director-General, MR/4257939 National Environment Management.