GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 2695

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 Transmission Company Limited, is proposing to construct a 400kV transmission line from Rongai in Nakuru County, through Bomet County, and terminate in Kilgoris Town, Narok County. Detailed scope of work for the project is as follows: 1. Transmission Line Rongai—Kilgoris 400kV Overhead Power Line (155km) 2. Substations (a) Bay Extension at 400kV Rongai Substation (b) Bay Extension at 400kV Kilgoris Substation The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures Noise and vibration • The contractor to adhere to the EMCA Noise and Excessive Vibration Pollution Control Regulation, 2009. • Contractor to ensure that noise levels emanating from machinery, vehicles and noisy construction activities (e.g. excavation, blasting) are kept at a minimum. • Sensitize construction drivers to avoid running of vehicle engines or hooting. • Regular servicing of engines and machine parts to reduce noise generation. • Ensure that all generators and heavy duty equipment are insulated or placed in enclosures (containers) to minimize ambient noise levels. • Trees to be planted around the site to provide some buffer against noise propagation. • The noisy construction works will entirely be planned to be during day time when most of the neighbors will be at work. Air pollution • Ensure strict enforcement of on-site speed limit regulations. • Avoid excavation works in extremely dry weather. • Sprinkle water on graded access routes when necessary to reduce dust generation by construction and vehicles. • Stockpiles of earth should be enclosed/covered/watered during dry or windy conditions to reduce dust emissions. • PPE to be provided to employees and ensure proper and constant use. • Sensitize truck drivers and machine operators to switch off engines when not in use. • Regular servicing of engines and machine parts to reduce exhaust emission generation. THE KENYA GAZETTE 29th March, 2018 854 854 Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures • Alternative non-fuel construction equipment shall be used where feasible. Increased solid waste generation • Use of an integrated solid waste management system i.e. the 3 R’s: 1. Reduction at source 2. Reuse 3. Recycle. • Accurate estimation of the dimensions and quantities of materials required. • Use of durable, long-lasting materials that will not need to be replaced as often, thereby reducing the amount of construction waste generated over time. • Provide facilities for proper handling and storage of construction materials to reduce the amount of waste caused by damage. • Use building materials that have minimal or no packaging to avoid the generation of excessive packaging waste. • Reuse packaging materials such as removed wooden poles, cartons, cement bags, empty metal and plastic containers to reduce waste at site. • Waste collection bins to be provided at designated points on site. • Dispose waste more responsibly by contracting a registered waste handler who will dispose the waste at designated sites or landfills only and in accordance with the existing laws. • Strict adherence to Waste Management Regulations, 2006. Generation of wastewater • Provide means for handling sewage generated at the construction site. • Conduct regular checks for sewage pipe blockages or damages since such vices can lead to release of the effluent into the land and water bodies. • Monitor effluent quality regularly to ensure that the stipulated discharge rules and standards are not violated. • Strict adherence to Water Quality Regulations, 2006. Oil spills hazards • Install oil trapping equipment in areas where there is a likelihood of oil spillage e.g. during maintenance of vehicles. • In case of an oil spill, immediate clean up measures will be instituted. • Storage and liquid impoundment areas for fuels, raw and in-process material solvents, wastes and finished products should be designed with secondary containment to prevent spills and the contamination of soil, ground and surface water. • A written substations response plan should be prepared and retained on the site and the workers should be trained to follow specific procedures in the event of a spill. • Collected used oils should be re-used, disposed of appropriately by licensed waste handlers, or be sold for reuse to licensed firms. Destruction of existing vegetation and habitat • Conduct selective clearing of vegetation on the way-leave corridor. Avoid unnecessary vegetation clearing; only tall trees that poses a danger to the transmission line and vegetation on the foot plinth of the tower to be removed. • Ensure proper demarcation and delineation of the project area to be affected by construction works. • Specify locations for trailers and equipment, Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures and areas of the site which should be kept free of traffic, equipment, and storage. • Designate access routes and parking within the site. • With Assistant from community, KWS and KFS, initiate a tree planting exercise. • Design and implement an appropriate landscaping programme for the substations site. • Ensure no worker engage in acts of poaching. • Restrict construction to day time. • Observe applicable protected areas regulations. • Bush clearing to be selective. Only tall trees on the wayleave corridor or vegetation on the footprints of the towers to be removed. • Consult the local KFS and KWS officer for advice on construction timings to avoid disturbing wildlife.Support community initiatives in tree planting. Disturbance on Mau Forest Complex • Within the Forest Complex KETRACO to consider underground cabling or at a minimum reducing the way-leave to 15m. • The proponent (and the contractor) must strictly adhere to the Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2016 and the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013. Disturbance on wildlife • At the proponent’s cost engage KFS and KWS rangers to guard workers against wildlife and to protect wildlife from hunting and poaching. • Ensure no worker engage in acts of hunting or poaching. • Restrict construction to day time. • Observe applicable Protected Area regulations. Impacts on workers’ and community health and safety • Ensure strict compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 2007. • Prohibit access by unauthorized personnel into the construction site. • Train all employees and regularly sensitize them on safe working procedures. • Periodic community sensitization of the dangers posed by the project. • Place warning signs where necessary. • Provide necessary PPEs to workers. • Erect a perimeter fence to enclose the substations. Soil erosion and storm-water runoff • Surface runoff and roof water shall be harvested and stored in tanks so that it can be used for cleaning purposes. • A storm water management plan that minimizes impervious area infiltration by use of recharge areas and use of detention and/or retention with graduated outlet control structure will be designed. • Apply soil erosion control measures such as levelling of the project site to reduce run-off velocity and increase infiltration of storm water into the soil. • Ensure that construction vehicles are 29th March, 2018 THE KENYA GAZETTE Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures restricted to use existing graded roads. • Ensure that any compacted areas are ripped to reduce run-off. • Roof catchments will be used to collect the storm water for some substations uses. • Construction of water pans to collect storm water for substations use, tree planting and landscaping. Visual and aesthetic impacts • Extensive public consultation during project planning. • Structures at the site should be designed in such a way that they will improve the beauty of the surroundings. • Restore site area through backfilling, landscaping and planting of trees, shrubs and grass on the open spaces to re-introduce visual barriers. • Design and implement an appropriate landscaping programme. Increase in social vices including HIV/AIDS • Periodic sensitization forums for employees on ethics, morals; general good behavior and the need for the project to co-exist with the neighbors. • Guidance and counselling on HIV/AIDS and other STDs to employees. • Provision of condoms. • Contractor to have a strong policy on sexual harassment and abuse of office guided by proponent’s policy on the same. Cultural heritage and archaeological finds • Upon discovery of a heritage site or an archaeological find, the construction site will be stopped, the site if possible will be restricted using tapes or local materials, and relevant authorities including local administration officers and the museums of Kenya informed for further instructions. Resettlement and loss of use • Conduct consultation meetings with Project Affected Persons and ensure timely compensation for loss of property and land use. Ensure adherence to country legal legislations and World Bank Safeguard Policy 4.12 on Involuntary Resettlement. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Director-General, NEMA, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839–00200, Nairobi. (b) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, NHIF Building, Community, P.O. Box 30126– 00100, Nairobi. (c) County Director of Environment, Nakuru County. (d) County Director of Environment, Bomet County. (e) County Director of Environment, Narok County 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 of the plan. GEOFFREY WAHUNGU, Director-General, MR/4143190 National Environment Management Authority.