GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 5994

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, Pride Enterprises Limited, proposes to construct and operate a used tyre pyrolysis plant, comprising of 2No.blocks, one with (2No.godowns and 2No.covered workshops) and the other with (office space and spare parts storage), associated facilities and amenities on Plot No. Mavoko Town Block 2/12987 in Katani Ward, Syokimau, Machakos County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impacts Mitigation measures Destruction of vegetation • Restore/re-establish vegetation in some parts of the disturbed areas through implementation of a well-designed landscaping programme by planting of appropriate plants. THE KENYA GAZETTE 17th May, 2024 Encroachment of the area • Demarcate the project area affected by the construction activities to prevent unnecessary interference with areas not meant for the proposed project. • Consult and agree with the owners of properties that are likely to be affected by the proposed project activities such creation of temporary accesses and easements. • Totally avoid encroachment into road reserves and other private or public properties by properly demarcating the project area to be affected by the construction works. Soil erosion • Retain some of the grasses, shrubs, and trees at the site and/or implement a landscaping programme that will involve planting Install gutters and construct/install tanks to harvest and store rainwater for use and thus reduce run- off.ornamental plants at the site. • Control earthworks Air pollution • Ensure vehicles only use designated access routes. • Ensure proper repair and maintenance of vehicles and equipment to minimize exhaust gases. • Provide workers in areas concentrated with exhaust emissions, dust and fumes with nose masks covering the mouth and the nose and goggles to protect the eyes. • Use kilns that have provisions for flue gas trapping, smoke interception, and stacks fitted with scrubbers for gases and filters for particulate matter removal to effectively capture and treat emissions from the pyrolysis process before being released into the atmosphere, minimizing air pollution. • Ensure that a chimney for each pyrolysis furnace system is at least 10 meters high to facilitate proper dispersion of exhaust gases, reducing the potential for ground-level air pollution and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards for chimney height. • Pave or apply non-toxic soil stabilizers on all unpaved access roads, parking areas, loading areas, and unloading areas. Fire risks • Declare places with flammable construction materials as “NO SMOKING ZONES” and display conspicuous notices of the same. • Have at least 2 standby fire extinguishers at the site for use in case a fire erupts. • Train workers in emergency (fire) preparedness and management or ensure that among the project workers there is at least one fire management specialist in every working section. • Install fire alarms with smoke sensors. • Install fire suppression equipment such as water, foam, CO2, and dry powder fire extinguishers at easily accessible locations within and outside the buildings through a licensed fire officer. • Weather-proof all lighting and power points at the site. • Install lightning arresters on the building. • Establish and mark “FIRE EXIT” points from the buildings and “FIRE ASSEMBLY POINTS” at an open outdoor space and designate parking for emergency management vehicles. Traffic disruption • Properly plan for the transportation of materials to ensure that vehicles are optimally filled to reduce the number of trips done or the number of vehicles on the access roads. • Place clear signage at the gate to alert drivers to be cautious about the construction and to look out for entering and/or exiting vehicles. • Employment of formal flagmen/ women to ensure the public safety. Wastewater generation • Carry out regular inspections on the sewerage and wastewater drainage systems to detect and repair breakages to minimize risks of flushing that causes pollution and nuisance. • Do not discharge/dispose of oil into sinks or toilets to avoid clogging the pipes and disrupting wastewater treatment systems but rather dispose the oil through an appropriate waste disposal agent. • Exhaust the soak pit whenever it reaches ¾ full through a NEMA-licensed exhauster service provider. • Manage sewage wastes according to controlled discharge standards by conducting regular bacteriological and chemical analysis through the Authority’s accredited laboratories. Solid waste generation • Provide labelled bins for separate collection of waste into appropriate sorts such as plastics, hazardous, recyclable, and non-recyclable at appropriate collection points. • Put in place an efficient, regular, and appropriate waste collection and disposal scheme that will prevent the accumulation of waste at collection areas. • Provide specialized bins for collection of soiled sanitary pads in ladies washrooms. Noise pollution • Provide ear protective devices to workers and visitors in noisy environments to prevent high frequency noise emitted by the high frequency machines. • Avoiding unnecessary ignition and usage of machines and vehicles. • Placing some noisy equipment such as generators in sound-proof rooms or in enclosures to minimize ambient noise. • Properly servicing and tuning machinery such as generators to reduce noise generation. • Installing noise blankets. • Sensitizing drivers and machine operators to switch off their engines while they are not in use. • Adhere to provisions of Noise Prevention and Control Rules 2005, Legal Notice no. 24 regarding noise limits at the workplace as well as NEMA Noise Excessive Vibration Pollution Control Regulations, 2000 Climate change risks and vulnerability • Water management: Given the variability of precipitation patterns, the project should invest in water management strategies such as rainwater harvesting, storage facilities, and efficient water use practices to mitigate water scarcity during dry periods and reduce flood risks during heavy rainfall events. • Infrastructure design: Incorporate climate- resilient design features into the project's infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events such as flooding, storms, and high temperatures. 17th May, 2024 THE KENYA GAZETTE • Energy efficiency: Implement energy-efficient technologies and practices to reduce Greenhouse gas emissions and dependency on fossil fuels. • Biodiversity conservation: Protect and enhance natural ecosystems surrounding the project site to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem services, which play a crucial role in climate resilience. This may involve reforestation efforts, habitat restoration, and sustainable land management practices. Occupational safety and health risks • Register the site as a workplace with the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS) • Obtain insurance cover for the workers at the site • Provide adequate and appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to workers and visitors to the site and enforce on their use • Appropriate sanitation conveniences as required in Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007 and echoed in the Public Health Act. • Provide a fully equipped first aid kit and trained personnel at the project site • Fence the facility to limit access by the general public • Develop and implement a safety and health policy for the facility • Sensitize employees to adhere to work procedures including safe handling of asbestos containing materials to minimize accidents • Conduct first aid training among the workers and provide well-stocked first aid kits at the facility • Provide and keep an accident/ incident register • Comply with the provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007 • Comply with the National Guidelines on Safe Management and Disposal of Asbestos, 2011 Interference with archaeologic al and other cultural properties • If any archaeological or culturally important artefact is discovered during the construction process, the contractor(s) shall implement the chance find procedure 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, Machakos 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/6166670 National Environment Management.