GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 16889

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, Karsan Ramji and Sons Limited entered into a steam supply agreement with Geothermal Development Company to set up a 4 megawatt (MW) captive power generation unit at Main Well 18A within the Menengai Geothermal Field to power their proposed cement plant and pozzolana drying. The proposed project will involve installation, operation and possible decommissioning of a 4 MW captive power generation unit at Main Well 18A within the Menengai Geothermal Field to power a proposed cement plant and pozzolana drying. Other components will include drying plant and cooling towers in Nakuru County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impacts Mitigation Measures Loss of vegetation cover • Landscaping after completion of the project. • Minimize land disturbance; avoid clearing large areas of vegetation. Impacts of obtaining raw materials from the environment • Source raw materials from sites and industrial establishments that are licensed as per the EMCA (Cap. 387) of the laws of Kenya. • Procure quantities of construction materials in line with the Bill of Quantities. • Re-use construction materials such steel cuttings which can be recovered. Occupational health and safety risks • Ensure civil and structural designs of the proposed project are prepared by a registered engineer and approved by the County and NCA. • Installation works should only be carried out by a contractor who is registered with NCA. • Enforce adherence to safety procedures and prepare contingency plan for accident and incident responses. • Register the site as a workplace with DOSHS. • Provide adequate PPEs and enforce on 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 at the site. • Induct new employees and visitors on safety at the workplace. • Sensitize workers, neighbors and other stakeholders on risks associated with installation works for enhanced self- responsibility on personal safety. • Ensure moving parts of machines and sharp surfaces are securely protected with guards. • Provide well stocked first aid kit and trained personnel. • Develop and implement an emergency response plan. • Display signage warning of potential hazards at various sections of the plant. • Access to the plant should be controlled to limit exposure to hazards. • Conduct first aid training among the workers. • Provide a standby or easy to access ambulance service. • Provide and keep an accident/incident register. • Use of automated systems to minimize human exposure to geothermal gases and fluids. • Monitoring of seismic activity and land stability. • Regular maintenance of wellheads and geothermal fluid pipelines. • Reducing the time required for work in high heat areas and ensuring access to drinking water. 20th December, 2024 THE KENYA GAZETTE • Shielding surfaces where workers come in close contact with hot equipment. • Comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007. Storm water management • Design an effective storm water management plan. • Limit access road gradients to reduce run-off induced erosion. • Provide adequate drainage systems to minimize and control run-off. Harmful radiation exposure • Prepare and implement a comprehensive Radiation Management and Monitoring Plan. 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. Water use and effluent management • Use of overburden in backfilling and landscaping post installation activities. • Procure appropriate infrastructure for solid waste management with segregation capacity. • Designate a central waste collection area. • Contract a NEMA licensed waste handler to dispose off solid waste. • Sensitize workers on integrated waste management. • Comply with the Waste Management Regulations, 2006 and Sustainable Solid Waste Management Act, 2022. Air pollution • Install dust screens and dust arresters around the project site during construction. • Watering the unpaved access roads to minimize fugitive dust emissions. • Cover stockpiles of construction materials to reduce dust emissions. • Procure, provide and enforce the use of dust masks. • Ensure machinery and equipment are regularly serviced and maintained. • Install hydrogen sulphide abatement systems such as Stretford, LO-CAT or Sulferox processes. • Develop and implement hydrogen sulphide monitoring plan to facilitate early detection and warning. • Undertake quarterly air quality monitoring in collaboration with a NEMA designated laboratory. • Comply with Environmental Management and Co-ordination (Air Quality) Regulations, 2014. Noise pollution • Provide adequate and appropriate PPEs to workers/visitors and enforce on their use. • Delivery of raw materials, installation, fabrication and construction works should be limited to day time hours only. • Ensure machinery and equipment are regularly serviced and maintained. • Sensitize truck drivers to avoid unnecessary hooting and running of vehicle engines. • Comply with the Environmental Management and Coordination (Noise and Excessive Vibration Pollution) (Control) Regulations, 2009. 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 HCVs at the site. Decline in well productivity • Reinjection of brine into Main Well 18A to maintain pressure and enhance longevity of the geothermal resource. • Conduct hydraulic stimulation to enhance permeability of geothermal reservoirs and increase productivity from Main Well 18A. • Monitoring the amount of geothermal fluid extracted. Brine management • Rehabilitation of the existing evaporation ponds prior to brine disposal Reinjection of brine into the geothermal reservoir (Well No. 34). Storm water management • Design an effective storm water management plan. • Limit access road gradients to reduce run-off induced erosion. • Provide adequate drainage systems to minimize and control run-off. 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, Nakuru 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/6485862 National Environment Management. THE KENYA GAZETTE 20th December, 2024