GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 13111

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 Electricity Generating Company (PLC) intends to redevelop the dilapidated hydropower plant to enhance its efficiency and achieve a power output of 8.7MW by utilizing the available river discharge and optimizing the hydropower plant components and some additional downstream land for the new power house location at Kuja River in Uriri Sub-county in Migori County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Possible Impacts Clearance of ° vegetation ° e Human wildlife ° conflicts Spoil from dredging ° Increased . sedimentation Soil erosion andrun- °¢ off Human waste disposal * Extraction and use of ° building materials Noise pollution ° Mitigation Measures Employ best practices during construction and rehabilitate the site at the end of the construction site. Ensure proper demarcation of the project area to be affected by the construction works. Maintain the construction activities within the footprint of the development. Awareness creation and sensitisation. KenGen should consult Kenya Wildlife Service in managing the wild animals. Consideration for fencing off and securing the dam to limit access by community members and livestock. Riparian land conservation to protect the wild animals’ habitat. KenGen to consider possibility of providing a water tap for the community outside the dam area. Safe disposal of dredged material. Soil analysis before and after dredging. Use of sediment curtains. Riverbank/bed excavation should be limited to the dry season as far as possible. Terracing and leveling the project site. Harvesting surface and roof water. Re-vegetate exposed areas around the site. As provided for by the Building Code, a temporary latrine will be provided on site to be used by construction workers. Sourcing raw materials from registered quarries and sand mining firms. Ensure accurate budgeting of construction materials to avoid wastage. Compliance with Noise and Vibration Regulations of 2009. Use of PPEs /Equip workers with standard Possible Impacts Community health and safety Exhaust and dust emissions Traffic impacts Interruption of migratory routes for upstream breeders Noise and vibration Oil spills hazards Collapsing of dam wall/dam failure Fire outbreak Occupational and community health and safety Mitigation Measures noise attenuation features. Use equipment designed with noise control elements. Adherence to the provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007 and its subsidiary legislation. Provision of PPEs to workers. Safety slogans should be strategically posted as a reminder to employees. Sensitize staff on social/health issues such as drugs and HIV/AIDS/COVID 19. Sprinkle the construction area with water to keep dust levels down. Provide dust masks to all personnel in areas prone to dust emissions. Limit movement of heavy plant to off- peak hours. Adequate maintenance of the equipment to reduce emissions. Drivers to reduce speed of vehicle on the road. Use construction and warming signs to warn the public on the traffic. A fish pass/fish ramp has been provided to enable uninterrupted movement of aquatic organisms. Generators to be housed in buildings with solid walls. Installation of noise insulation materials to buildings with noise sources. Diesel storage tanks should have secondary containment bunds. Develop and management plan. implement a_ spill Ensure frequent inspection and maintenance of the equipment. Carry out a _ routine preventative maintenance to ensure that deterioration is immediately observed and where possible repaired. Environmental and social impact audits. Installation of firefighting equipment. Training workers on fire safety and conducting regular fire drills. Emergency /fire exit doors shall be put in place. Provision of adequate PPEs to workers Operation of machines and equipment by qualified persons only. Strategically placed Firefighting equipment and provision of a fully stock first aid box. Instruct all workers on safety health issues every day before work begins. Provide right tools, instructions and manuals work/operation phase. operations, during Sensitize staff on social/health issues such as drugs and HIV/AIDS:COVID 19. 3rd December, 2021 Possible Impacts Mitigation Measures Increased demandin ¢ Use of energy saving bulbs and switching energy off unnecessary light. * Servicing the generator and other energy consuming /utilizing equipment regularly. * Using alternative/renewable sources of energy e.g. solar power for lighting. Noise and vibration * Limit vehicles and other small equipment with engines to a minimum idling time. ¢ Demolish mainly during the day, a time with minimal noise disturbance. Solid waste * Recycling/ reusing of materials. generation _ oe . ¢ Provision of facilities for proper handling and storage of demolition materials. ¢ Adequate collection and storage of waste on site and safe transportation to the disposal sites. Dust ¢ Watering all active demolition areas as and when necessary to lay dust. * Cover all trucks hauling soil, sand and other loose materials. Traffic and transport * Carry out deliveries of materials being removed from the decommissioned site during the day to avoid noise and disruption of sleep to the residents. Workers accidents ¢ Acomprehensive contingency plan will be during demolition prepared before demolition begins, on process accident response. ¢ Adherence to safety procedures will be enforced at al] stages of the exercise. ¢ All workers, pursuant to labour laws, shall be accordingly insured against accidents. ¢ All workers will be provided and instructed to wear protective attire during demolition, including helmets. ¢ Demolition work will be limited to daytime only avoid workers accidents due to poor visibility 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, Migori 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/3258718 National Environment Management Authority.