GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 13237

PURSUANT to Regulation 21 of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, 2003, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has received an Environmental Impact Assessment Study Report for the above-proposed project. The proponent, Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO), proposes to construct an approximately 81KM high voltage transmission line traversing two counties i.e. Narok County starting at Narok Substation traversing through east on the outskirts of Narok County and terminating existing Bomet substation, Bomet County. The project components include transmission pylons, right of way (wayleave corridor) of approximately 30m wide, tower footings access roads, associated facilities and amenities. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Environmental Impacts Mitigation Measures Air quality • Construction trucks moving materials to site, delivering sand and cement to the site will be covered. Any stockpiles of earth will be enclosed. • All personnel working on the project will be trained on methods for minimizing air quality impacts. • During construction, where necessary, sprinkle loose surface earth areas with water to keep dust levels down. • Masks will be provided to all personnel in areas prone to dust emissions throughout the period of construction. Impacts to soils and geology • Material to be backfilled will be compacted to limit the possibilities of erosion. • Areas compacted by vehicles during site preparation and construction shall be scarified. • Unchanneled flow of water at the site during construction shall be controlled to avoid soil erosion. Waste generation • Prepare and adhere to the site waste management plan. • Application of 3R principle ensure that waste is recycled and re-used where possible. • Contractor on site must have a NEMA licensed waste handler to always collect any waste residue and dispose effectively. Burning of waste is strictly prohibited. • Compliance to EMCA Waste Management Regulations, 2006. Noise and vibration • Use equipment designed with noise control elements. • Limit vehicles to a minimum idling time Set and observe speed limits and avoid raving of engines. • Ensure that construction activities are limited to working hours. Impacts on flora and fauna • Vegetation removal will be kept to a minimum during construction. • Temporary access routes to construction areas will be kept to a minimum. • Re-vegetation using indigenous species and rehabilitation of areas temporarily cleared during construction will occur. Avifauna • Consider migratory bird routes when Environmental Impacts Mitigation Measures planning the route of the proposed transmission line. • Locate the proposed transmission line adjacent to prevailing natural obstacles such as trees or cliffs to prevent them from perching on the line. • Installation of reflective balls bird diverters to avoid bird collisions. Land take • Compensation against land loss, structures damage to crops/trees when land will be temporarily acquired for construction purposes. • Continuous community sensitization and consultation including following the developed Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM). • Develop and implement a Resettlement Action Plan(RAP). Health and safety • Registration of all the construction works by the Director, Directorate of Occupational Health and Safety Services (DOHSS). • Contract a qualified health and safety advisor to conduct training and monitoring of construction works. • Full implementation of the Occupation Health and Safety Act, 2007 by the contractor. 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, Narok and Bomet counties. 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/4300139 National Environment Management.