GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 14889

PURSUANT to section 59 of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act, 1999, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has received an Environmental Impact Assessment Study Report for the above proposed project. The proponent, Steen Agencies Limited, proposes to set up an asbestos disposal site which will occupy approximately 2 acres of land. The space site will be excavated 9.5m below the ground and with a concrete wall to prevent leaching of the asbestos to the underground water. The project will consists of gate and guard house, offices, loading and offloading bay, truck parking area, perimeter, disposal pits, associated amenities and facilities on Plot L.R. No. 6916/ Kalumani/ Mnyenzeni Muzinzi Village, Tsangatsini Sub-location, Tsangatsini Location, Kaloleni Sub-county, Kilifi County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impacts Mitigation Measures Loss biodiversity • Protect as possible indigenous trees and other surrounding vegetation that need not be removed. • Minimize site clearance to only areas needed for excavations. • Undertake continuous excavation of asbestos pits/cells. That is excavation of any subsequent pit shall base on expected asbestos materials. • Plant trees around the perimeter fence and within some section of the site. • Cover any asbestos pit that is not full with polythene sheet and soil 1m above the buried asbestos and seal the cell with concrete material as it awaits more asbestos materials to be concluded as full. 3rd November, 2023 THE KENYA GAZETTE Impacts Mitigation Measures Safety and health • Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007. • Training the workers on the potential health risk caused by exposure to asbestos and how to reduce these risks. • The asbestos removal and disposal workers shall be trained on safe asbestos handling techniques. • Notify workers about the upcoming disposal activity and the Safety requirements. • Prepare appropriate PPE. • PPEs shall be of single use and shall be used once and disposed with asbestos materials. • Post appropriate signpost of the site that will inform the workers of key rules to follow. • Put in place an appropriate emergency and incident response plan. Waste generation • Train cleaning and maintenance workers on the need for proper waste management. • Minimize waste generation, segregate general and hazardous waste in color coded refuse bins. • Any waste/material contaminated with asbestos shall out rightly be disposed of in asbestos pit. Asbestos management • The onsite and offsite Asbestos disposal site shall be marked clearly as asbestos hazard area in accordance with the National Guidelines on Safe Management and Disposal of Asbestos. • The asbestos will be appropriately contained and sealed to minimize exposure. • The asbestos prior to removal shall be treated with a wetting agent to minimize asbestos dust. • Asbestos shall be handled and disposed by skilled and experienced professionals. • If asbestos material is being stored temporarily, the wastes shall be securely enclosed inside closed containments, marked appropriately and secured. • The removed asbestos will not be reused or recycled in anyway. • The asbestos materials removed shall be buried onsite/offsite based on the clients preference. • Removal including Onsite/offsite disposal of asbestos shall be subjected to environmental impact assessment in accordance with the Environmental (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, 2003. Management of temporary waste storage sites • Ensure management of temporary waste storage sites is in line with the National Guidelines on Safe Management and Disposal of Asbestos. Impacts Mitigation Measures • Register and monitor waste volumes at the temporary waste storage site. • Oversee the physical removal of the waste from the temporary waste storage sites. Traffic and pedestrian safety • Signposting, warning signs, barriers and traffic diversions: site should be clearly visible and the workers warned of all potential hazards. • Provision of safe passages and crossings for pedestrians be made. • Train staff at the site on safe and convenient passage at the work place. • Ensuring safe and continuous access to office facilities, shops and residences during disposal and cleaning activities, if the facility is in operation during this activity. Air quality • Establish simple air quality monitoring that ensures the outputs of the monitoring process are maintained and utilized in improving. • Appoint a dust monitoring agent/lab to monitor and analyse dust and air quality • Air monitoring should be done continuously in areas related to asbestos removal works. Storm water Management • Ensure all storm water from the site is directed towards the established water drains. Hygiene and sanitary provision • Provide washrooms, bathrooms and changing rooms within the facility. • Provide truck was bay for cleaning asbestos transportation vehicle. Disposal scheduling and hours • The disposal and cleaning activities should be limited from 7 a.m. or sunrise (whichever is later) to 5 p.m. or sunset. Clearance inspections • Inspections should be done to ensure that temporary storage site and work environment is cleaned to a satisfaction standard. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Foresty, NHIF Building, 12th Floor, Ragati Road, Upper Hill, Upper Hill, P.O. Box 30126–00200, Nairobi (b) Director General, NEMA, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839–00200, Nairobi. (c) County Director of Environment, Kilifi County. A copy of the EIA report can be downloaded at www.nema.go.ke The 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. Comments can also be e-mailed to dgnema@nema.go.ke MAMO B. MAMO, Director-General, MR/6185683 National Environment Management Authority. 4856 4856