GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 525

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, Kenya Electricity Generating Company Plc (KenGen) is proposing to drill 42No. geothermal wells at Olkaria Geothermal which will comprise of production, monitoring and re- injection wells. The wells will be drilled using (3) rigs owned by KenGen i.e KGNI, KGN2 and N370 for an approximate period of 5 years. The scope of the project covers construction of well pads and cellers where drilling will take place, new roads that will interconnect the well pads, laying of water supply lines from the existing water storage tanks to the respective well pads, rig moves using, rigging-up of the rig and installation of associated auxiliaries. The proposed project site is located on plot L.R. No. 105419/1 (L.R.NO.12881/5) within Hell’s Gate National Park, in Naivasha Sub-county, Nakuru County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures Air emission and dust pollution • Regular maintenance and servicing of construction machinery and equipment. • Train and sensitize workers on dust minimization techniques and management of air emissions from vehicles and machinery. • Use of dust/fumes arrestors. • Regular monitoring of H2S along the steam pipelines serving the power plant, cooling towers and in the nearby villages. 17th January, 2025 THE KENYA GAZETTE Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures • Develop and implement a H2S emergency preparedness, prevention and response plan. • Compliance with the provisions of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination (Air Quality) Regulations, 2014. Noise pollution • Install noise barriers to reduce exposure to close sensitive receptors. • Limit operation for specific loud equipment or operations to day-time. • Regular monitoring and measurement of noise levels at the site. • Provide at strategic positions, signage in identified noise hazardous areas. • Develop and implement a Noise Management Plan. • Compliance with the requirements of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination (Noise and Excessive Vibration Pollution) (Control) Regulations, 2009. Surface and sub-surface contamination • Ensure storage of chemicals and fuels in designated areas. • Ensure all chemical and fuel storage sites are banded and with impermeable surface. • Develop and implement a spills prevention and emergency response plan for the site. • Training workers on spills response to minimize the risk of chemical spills. Surface water contamination • Implementation of reinjection system to respective reinjection wells to minimize risk of brine and condensate discharges. • Develop a brine management plan. • Continuous monitoring of chemical composition of brine. • Sludge/precipitates to be stored in banded holding sites. • Regular maintenance of wellheads and geothermal fluid pipelines. Solid and liquid waste generation • Develop and implement a Waste Management Plan. • Ensure all oily water discharges flow through an oil–water separator or a grease trap before discharge. • Ensure adequate sanitation in construction sites, road work areas and workers’ camp. • Ensure Hazardous and toxic waste will be collected by a NEMA licensed hazardous waste transporter and disposed-off in a licensed facility. • Compliance with the provisions of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination (Waste Management) Regulations, 2006 and the Factories and Other Places of Work (Hazardous Substances) Rules, 2007. Impact on flora • Ensure selective clearing of vegetation for future re-growth and regeneration. • Clearly delineate areas for land preparation/other activities in the field to prevent loss of vegetation outside of designated works areas. • Monitor invasive plant species at the project area and uproot unwanted germinating plants. • Rehabilitation and reforestation of disturbed areas neighbouring the plant, and outside the project footprint that will be affected by the construction activities. Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures Impact on fauna • Erect bumps and signage in wildlife crossing areas along the roads leading to the site. • Monitor Incident/accident records and other human-wildlife conflicts for appropriate corrective measures. • Fencing work areas to prevent animal entry and minimize light/disturbance impacts during the night time. • Installation of safety barriers to avoid wildlife contact with hot pipelines, should temperatures exceed safe levels. • Implementation of reinjection system to minimize risk of brine/condensate discharges on Fauna. • Provision of adequately sized concrete lined storage ponds and/or system shut down in case of reinjection failure. • Ensure steam pipes at known animal migration corridors are elevated or buried under the ground surface as appropriate. Occupation health and safety • Provision and enforce use of all ranges of required PPEs for workers and visitors. • Include standard best practice health and safety provisions in the construction work(s) contract; • Install appropriate safety signage for all work sites. • Training workers in the use of the available information (such as International Chemical Safety Cards – ICSC, Materials Safety Data Sheets – MSDS, or equivalent) and safe work practices. • Compliance with the provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007. Impacts on community health • Regular watering of loose surfaces and covering of loose materials to minimize dust. • Avoid offloading and application of loose construction materials during windy hours. • Introduce speed limits on roads and ensure compliance so as to minimize accidents in the busy environment. • Monitor community health in regard to respiratory illness in collaboration with the local health centres for informed preventive care strategies; • Engage community for notification when noisy construction activities are set to take place. HIV/AIDs and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) • Sensitize workers and the local communities on HIV/AIDs and STIs. • Formation of peer groups from among the project staff to ensure continuity in training and awareness raising. • Awareness creation on the risks of contracting or spreading sexually transmitted diseases. Fire outbreak • Develop an implementable fire policy. • Ensure compliance with fire safety rules under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007. • Undertake regular employee’s trainings and fire drills on the operation and maintenance of the power plant and associated infrastructure. • Periodic inspection and maintenance of potential ignition points. • Install high-performance combustible fixed gas detectors along with electro-optical flame detection. THE KENYA GAZETTE 17th January, 2025 The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change 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, Nakuru County. A copy of the EIA 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 e-mailed to dgnema@nema.go.ke MAMO B. MAMO, Director-General, MR/6520520 National Environment Management Authority.