GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 8196

The following are anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures that might be triggered as a result of Development Strategies 1-5 above: Environmental and Social Impacts and Mitigation Measures Possible Impacts Mitigation measures Impacts on • At the time of individual Project ESIAs, a terrestrial and Biomass Survey will be undertaken to aquatic flora determine the quantity of woodlots likely to be destroyed, the report will propose appropriate offsets through re afforestation programs to be initiated within the Project. • Encourage upstream community driven catchment conservation and management programs, such programs should be initiated through the Project in liaison with the Kenya Forest Services and local Forest Catchment Associations. Downstream • Maintain at least steady base environment flow environmental of the streams / rivers to sustain ecological and flows. social requirements downstream based on the ecological flow values calculated. • Irati River at RGS 4BE08 is fully exploited with only 2,590m3/day Q95 available, therefore, there will be a demand for full downstream Reserve Flows required until development of future storage options. • Ensure compliance with water resource regulation at all times, this will be achieved through weirs and offtakes that will be able to provide variable yields depending on the volume of flow within target rivers. • Provide mandatory buffer area for conservation of the respective river line and dam ecosystem through the review of riparian land ownership. Impacts on • Provided fish passes for upstream-migrating terrestrial and and dominant fish spp. like the Barbus, Snake aquatic fauna Catfish, Rainbow Trout, Guppy fish among (fish and avian) ()thus. • For downstream migrating fish -screening and bypass, improved water gates, spillway designs should allow free movement of fish. • Collection of wild fish and propagation for Possible Impacts Mitigation measures particular species on case by case basis. • Through Water Resources Authority (WRA) and Water Resources Users Associations (WRUAs) regulate abstractions within the river basin. • Initiate tree planting programs within the entire project geographical boundaries. Sedimentation • A water pan (silt trap) may be established and siltation downstream of the dams which will act as a impacts within soil trap to hold the excessive silt during river channels construction. • The steep slopes surrounding the dam's construction should be stabilized, compacted and strengthen to reduce on erosion and potential landslides as a result of deep cutting, drainage channels should be installed only when necessary. • Encourage re-afforestation and improved farming systems upstream of the dams. Water quality • Define a buffer zone for reservoirs protection impacts against siltation, waste deposit, pesticide use. • Encourage re-afforestation and improved farming systems upstream of the dams. • Identification of point sources of water pollution from upstream farms for the purpose of management. • Institute a water quality monitoring system and maintaining appropriate records on water quality. • Best management practices will be utilized during site clearing and construction to minimize erosion and sedimentation. Dam safety • Review the dam design and dams' construction impacts by independent panel of experts • Prepare and implement relevant plans (plan for construction supervision and quality assurance, an instrumentation plan, an operation and maintenance plan), • Ensure frequent maintenance of the dams structures • Ensure soil structure around the sites (Intakes, dams and Water treatment sites) is protected Land acquisition, • Land acquisition and displacement impacts displacement and will be mitigated through preparation and other social implementation of a detailed Resettlement impacts Action Plan (RAP) • Measures will be taken to avoid displacement of communities in the project areas. • Provision of alternative routes and water points to community members to compensate the submerged water points and routes. • Appropriate compensation of all loses including loss of livelihood suffered by PAPs. • Development of a Labour Management Plan (LMP), Children Protection Strategy (CPS), Project Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) Plans and Communicable diseases such as HIV/ Aids, Covid -19 and other infectious diseases control and management strategy at Project construction period. Impacts on labour During implementation of the specific strategies: and working conditions • Promote safety and health at work. • Promote the fair treatment, non-discrimination 13th August, 2021 THE KENYA GAZETTE 3549 Possible Impacts Mitigation measures and equal opportunity of project workers. • Protect project workers, including vulnerable workers such as women, persons with disabilities, children (of working age, in accordance with the labour laws) and migrant workers, contracted workers, community workers and primary supply workers, as appropriate. • Prevent the use of all forms of forced labour and child labour. • Support the principles of freedom of association and collective bargaining of project workers in a manner consistent with national law. • Provide project workers with accessible means to raise workplace concerns. The full draft Strategic Environmental Assessment for the proposed development of an Integrated Water and Irrigation Masterplan in Murang'a County is available for inspection during working hours at: (d) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, NHIF Building, 12th Floor, Ragati Road, Upper Hill, P.O. Box 30126-00100, Nairobi. (e) Director-General, NEMA, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839-00200, Nairobi. (J) County Director of Environment, Murang'a County. A copy of the draft SEA 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/ I 770908 National Environment Management Authority.