GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 13378

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, West Kenya Sugar Company Limited proposes to construct a factory building, install equipment and machinery for a 120/210 KLPD ENA molasses cogeneration plant for manufacturing Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA), Fusel oil (FO) and Technical Alcohol (TA) for 330 days in a year from C molasses and B-heavy molasses, located next to existing sugar factory complex using state-of-art technology off A1 Kakamega–Webuye Road in Kabras, Kakamega North Sub-county, Kakamega County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impacts Mitigation Measures Occupational health and safety risks • Enforce adherence to safety procedures and prepare contingency plan for accident and incident responses. • Register the site as a workplace with the DOSHS. • Procure and provide adequate and appropriate PPE to workers and visitors to the site and enforce their use. • Erect safety signage and boards at all construction zones. • Provide workers with correct tools for jobs assigned and train on their use. • Obtain insurance cover for the workers and visitors. • Sensitize workers, neighbors and other stakeholders on risks associated with construction works for enhanced self-responsibility on personal safety. • Ensure moving parts of machines and sharp surfaces are securely protected with guards to avoid unnecessary contacts and injuries. • Provide a fully equipped first aid kit and trained personnel at the project site. • Comply with OSHA, 2007. • Comply with the NCA Act, 2014. • Procure and provide well-stocked first aid kits. • Provide and keep an accident/incident register. Air pollution • Install appropriate and adequate dust screens around the project site. • Watering the unpaved access roads to minimize fugitive dust emissions. • Cover stockpiles of construction materials (aggregates, sand and fill material) to reduce dust emissions especially during windy conditions. • Procure, provide and enforce the use of dust masks to workers and visitors to the project site. • Use serviceable machinery/equipment and trucks. • Comply with the Air Quality Regulations, 2014. THE KENYA GAZETTE 11th October, 2024 Impacts Mitigation Measures • Procure and provide adequate gas masks to workers and visitors to the plant and enforce their use. • Install an Electrostatic Precipitator within the boiler to control the particulate and gaseous emissions due to combustion. • Convey ash within closed pipelines to the silo storage fitted with Bag Filter and Ash Conditioner to eliminate fugitive dust. • Conduct air quality monitoring. Noise pollution • Provide adequate PPE such as ear muffs to workers and visitors to the site and enforce their use. • Delivery of raw materials, construction, fabrication and construction works should be limited to day time hours only. • Comply with the Noise Regulations, 2009. Solid waste generation • Use of overburden in backfilling and landscaping post construction activities. • Procure appropriate infrastructure for solid waste management including receptacles with segregation capacity. • Designate a central waste collection area for construction debris and commercial wastes. • Sensitize construction workers on the process of solid waste collection, segregation and proper disposal. • Contract a NEMA licensed waste handler to dispose-off the solid wastes. • Comply with Waste Management Regulations, 2006 and Sustainable Solid Waste Management Act, 2022. Increased water demand • Sensitize the workforce on water conservation and management. • Comply with the Water Quality Regulations, 2006. • Scheduled maintenance of water supply infrastructure. • Provide adequate drainage systems to minimize and control run-off. • Harvest rainwater by use of gutters. Oil spills • Develop and implement an oil spill containment plan for the site. • Procure and train workers on the use of oil spill response kits. • Avoid servicing of Heavy Commercial Vehicles at the site. Noise pollution • Procure and provide adequate earplugs to workers at peak noise producing areas. • Regularly service machinery and equipment to ensure that they are in good condition. • Sensitize truck drivers to avoid unnecessary hooting and running of vehicle engines. • Comply with the Noise Regulations, 2009. Waste water generation • Monitor the quality of wastewater discharged from the facility. • Vinasse shall be concentrated and utilized in boiler as fuel. • Spent lees shall be treated in CPU and recycled for molasses dilution. • Vinasse evaporator condensate shall be treated in CPU and recycled for molasses dilution. Impacts Mitigation Measures • Cooling tower blow down shall be treated in CPU and recycled for cooling tower make up and pump sealing. • WTP rejects and boiler blow down shall be treated in CPU and recycled for cooling tower make up and washings. Molasses spillage • Conduct regular inspections of tanks, pipelines, valves, and connections to identify any signs of wear, corrosion, or leaks. • Implement a preventive maintenance schedule for all equipment handling molasses to avoid equipment failure that could lead to spills. • Build Dyke wall around the molasses tank to contain molasses in case of accidental spillages. • Train employees on the proper handling of molasses, focusing on safety procedures, emergency response, and spill prevention techniques. • Establish clear safety protocols for transferring molasses between tanks, vehicles, and other equipment. • Conduct regular spill response drills to ensure that employees are well-prepared to respond quickly and effectively in the event of a spill. • Use automated control systems that can regulate the flow of molasses, ensuring that overflows are prevented. Fire hazards and emergencies • Develop and implement a fire and emergency evacuation plan. • Procure and provide adequate firefighting equipment and place them strategically within the plant. • Ensure firefighting equipment are serviced by accredited fire service providers. • Train employees on the use of fire-fighting equipment. • Designate a fire assembly point and clearly display emergency exits. • Display fire safety and warning signage at appropriate sections of the plant. • Ensure proper handling and storage of flammable materials. • Plant operations should be undertaken by authorized personnel only. • Regular inspection and maintenance of electrical appliances. • Conduct annual fire safety audit and fire drills. • Comply with OSHA, 2007. 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, Community, 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, Kakamega 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 regarding this plan. MAMO B. MAMO, Director-General, MR/6533112 National Environment Management Authority. 11th October, 2024 THE KENYA GAZETTE