GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 16432

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, Kimakia/Karangi/Mbugiti Irrigation Project proposes to develop a community water irrigation project which will be implemented in three sub-locations of Kimakia, Karangi and Mbugiti. The project area, comprising the water intake and supply area lies within the Upper Chania River Sub-Catchment, which is part of the Tana Catchment Area’s more extensive Chania/Thika River drainage system. The proponent intends to abstract 15,667.2m3/day from the flood flow and 100m3/day from the normal flow of Kimakia River at a site identified by co-ordinates 37 M 0248908, 9912917 (E036.743870, S00.787250) at an altitude of 2293m. This proposed project is located in Mbugiti Location, Gatanga Sub-county, Muranga County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impacts Mitigation Measures Loss of livelihoods and property (trees and crops) on farmlands • Members have signed land consent documents that there will be no property compensation in respective farms. There will be no land take or displacement of the local population. The pipelines will follow the road reserves where possible. Soil resources • Limit vegetation clearing - restrict vegetation and soil cover removal to water supply structures on way leave only. • Control earthworks and compact loose soils. • Landscaping should be done after project completion. • Rehabilitate disturbed areas by planting trees and grass as soon as possible to prevent erosion. Local air quality pollution • Control speed and operation of construction vehicles to 30 km/h or less. • Transport all construction materials in designated trucks which will covered. • Spray water on the soil before excavation and undertake periodic road wetting. Increased water demand • Recycling water during construction. • Employ other water harvesting measures such as roof catchment. • Awareness creation of water demand management measures. • Regularly inspect pipeline connections to ensure there are no leakages. Water quality • Construction vehicles should be serviced off- site. • Adhere to Kenyan laws and regulations applicable to waste management. • Prevent surface runoff loaded with sediment and other suspended materials from the site/working areas from discharging to adjacent watercourses and water bodies. Changes in river flows • Install water meters to abstract only the permitted volumes of water. • Awareness creation of water demand management measures. • Proponent to install an adequate storage tank. • Implement soil and water conservation measures to protect the river catchment. Ecology and biodiversity loss • When creating access routes, in Kimakia forest, the project team should focus on existing paths and avoid disturbing or clearing new areas. • Immediate rehabilitation and restoration of forest cover lost during excavation. • Induction programs for workers must include requirements to protect the natural environment. Solid wastes and effluents • Develop and implement a Waste Management Plan including waste segregation procedures. • Consult a NEMA-licensed waste handler to collect the wastes from sites. Noise pollution • Limit all the construction activities to daytime hours only. • Impose a speed limit of 30km/h on all vehicles transporting construction equipment and materials. Community safety and health • Train workers on environment, safety, and health issues. • Apply speed limits within the project site access roads. • Use barricade tapes where the trenches are open and at other active construction sites. • Employ qualified mobile equipment operators. • Provision of adequate sanitary facilities for workers. • Provide Personal Protective Equipment (P.P.Es) for workers. Traffic and disruption of public utilities • A speed limit of 30 km/hr is recommended. • Notify the relevant service providers and Agencies (KeRRA, etc.) before the commencement of the project work. 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, Murang’a 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/6485830 National Environment Management. THE KENYA GAZETTE 13th December, 2024