GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 15515

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, County Government of Machakos through the Department of Road, Transport and Public Works proposes the dualling of 16km Kyumvi (A109 junction) to Machakos section of (B62) Road within an existing right of way (RoW). The road passes through Kathome Market, Kithini Shopping Centre, Kimangu, Kenya Israel and ends at the Kitui Machakos road intersection. It contains nine activities: ditch excavation, culvert, concrete removal, peat excavation and swamp backfill, embankment, utility work, subbase, gravel and paving in Machakos County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Concerns Proposed Mitigation Measures Increased exploitation of • Maximize sourcing of construction raw materials materials sand and aggregates from NEMA registered quarry and sand mining firms. • Accurate budgeting and estimation of actual construction material requirements. • Ensure that damage or loss of materials at the construction site are kept minimal through proper storage. Run off and soil erosion • Apply soil erosion control measures to reduce run-off velocity and increase infiltration of storm water into the soil, e.g. silt traps and other barriers. • Construction vehicles are restricted to existing graded roads to avoid soil compaction within the project site. • Ensure that any compacted areas are filled in to reduce run-off or accumulation of water during rains. Solid waste generation • Construction materials left over at the end of construction will be used in other projects rather than being disposed of. • Ensure that damaged or wasted construction materials will be recovered for refurbishing and use in other projects. • Donating recyclable/reusable or residual materials to local community groups, institutions and individual local residents. • Use of durable, long-lasting materials, thereby reducing the amount of Concerns Proposed Mitigation Measures construction waste generated over time. • Provide facilities for proper handling and storage of construction materials to reduce the amount of waste caused by damage or exposure to the elements. • Purchase of perishable construction materials such as paints should be done incrementally to ensure reduced spoilage of unused materials. • Use construction materials that have minimal or no packaging to avoid the generation of excessive packaging waste. • Reuse packaging materials such as cartons, cement bags, empty metal and plastic containers to reduce waste at the site. • All wastes will be segregated, collected and stored in appropriate containers, and removed from site at least once per week. Air/dust pollution • Sprinkle water on graded RoW as necessary to reduce dust generation by construction vehicles, Regular monitoring of asphalt plants and other equipment. • Sensitize truck drivers to avoid unnecessary racing of vehicle engines at loading/offloading points and parking • areas. Switch off or keep vehicle engines at these points. • Ensure proper planning of transportation of materials to reduce the number of trips done per vehicle on the road. Noise pollution • Construction drivers to avoid gunning of vehicle when passing through sensitive areas such as residential areas and schools. • Ensure that construction machinery are kept in good condition to reduce noise generation. • Generators and heavy duty equipment are insulated or placed in enclosures to minimize ambient noise levels. Depletion of energy • Ensure planning of transportation of resources materials to ensure that fossil fuels (diesel, petrol) are, not consumed in excessive amounts. • Monitor energy use during construction and set targets for reduction of energy use. Exploitation of water • Promote recycling and reuse of water as resources much as possible. Accidents • Organize collection of rainwater on site. Water will be tankered to site to reduce pressure on local resources. • Ensure that provisions for reporting incidents, accidents and dangerous occurrences during construction using prescribed forms obtainable from the local Occupational Health and Safety Office (OHSO) are in place as required by OSHA, 2007. • Ensure that the Construction campsites premises are insured as per statutory requirements. • Develop, document and display prominently an appropriate SHE policy for road construction works. 16th December, 2022 THE KENYA GAZETTE 9131 Proposed Mitigation Measures • Provisions must be put in place for the formation of a Health and Safety Committee, in which the employer and the workers are represented. • Suitable, efficient, clean, well-lit and adequate gender specific sanitary conveniences should be provided for construction workers. • Arrangements must be in place for the medical examination of all construction employees before, during and after termination of employment. • Ensure that equipment and work tasks are adapted to fit workers and their ability including protection against mental strain. • All machines and other moving parts of equipment must be enclosed or guarded to protect all workers from injury. Train and supervise inexperienced workers regarding , construction machinery use and other procedures/operations. • Road construction equipment be examined by a government authorized person certificate of examination issued. • Reports of such examinations must be presented in prescribed f6rals, signed by the examiner and attached to the general register. • Materials (cement bags, aggregates, bitumen drums) are stored in stability and prevent any fall or collapse. • Conduct sensitization campaign for the public on risks related to road construction sites. A safe system will be established encompassing use of warning signs, barricadihg the working areas and sensitizing -the workers on occupational health and sa!ty. • Design suitable documonted emergency preparedness and evacuation procedures. • Ensure that adequate proWsions are in place to immediately stop any operations where there in an imminent and serious danger to h0:41lli and safety and to evacuate workers. • Current emergency telephone numbers posters are prominently and strategically displayed within the construction site. • Signs such as "NO SMOKING" must be prominently displayed within the road campsites, especially in parts where inflammable materials are stored. • Enough space must be provided within the premises to allow for adequate natural ventilation through circulation of fresh air. • Well stocked first aid box which is easily available and accessible should be provided within the premises. Provisions of PPE to • Provide workers in areas with elevated workers noise and vibration levels, with suitable ear protection equipment such as ear muffs. • Suitable overalls, safety footwear, dust masks, gas masks, respirators, gloves, ear protection equipment etc. • Provide and maintain adequate and suitable accommodation for clothing not Concerns Hygiene Safety, injuries caused by machineries and equipment and road construction Emergencies Concerns Proposed Mitigation Measures worn during working hours for construction employees. Sanitary • All work places must be kept in a clean state, and free from effluvia arising from any drain, sanitary convenience or nuisance. • Accumulations of dirt and refuse should be cleaned daily from the floors, benches, staircases and passages. Conduct mini-Rap for infrastructure and traders in the markets along the RoW. Liase with respective utilities provision companies for relocation. Employ a grievance redress mechanism incorporating a negotiation and/or mediation team or party for all persons affected by the road construction. Awareness creation and sensitization to workers and other persons engaged in the project to reduce or eliminate chances of infections of HIV-AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working liklurs at: ) (a) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, NHIFeBuilding, 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) Countay‘Director of Environment, Machakos County. x1(1 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 proceff regarding this project. Comments Can also be emailed to dgnema@nema.go.ke MAMO B. MAMO, Director-General, MR/4242321 National Environment Management.