GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 1364

PURSUANT to regulation 2] 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 National Highways Authority, proposing to upgrade and dual of approximately 50 km of the {sinya-Konza—Malili (B50) Road mainly located in Kajiado County (38km) and sections in Machakos and Makueni counties. The road traverses through Malili Town at the junction with Mombasa—Nairobi Road (A8), through Konza, Isinya Town at the junction of Athi River-Namanga Road (A2), Kiserian, Ngong, Kimuka terminating at Suswa Town, Narok County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Possible Impacts Mitigation Measures Slope gradient maintenance and controlled borrow pits and quarry excavation to avoid vertical phases. Topography and ° geology ¢ Erosion control measures in excavated borrow pits areas and working sites along the road. * Site reclamation or rehabilitation during decommissioning phase of the project. Sensitize drivers of construction vehicles and machinery operators to switch off engines or machinery that are not being used. Noise pollution and * vibrations * Ensure that all vehicles and construction machinery are kept in good condition all! the time to avoid excessive noise generation. * Ensure that all workers wear ear muffs and other personal protective gear/equipment when working in noisy sections. ¢ Ensure machines are switched off when not in use. * Undertake loud noise and vibration level activities during off-peak hours during the day (i.e. between 8.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m.). Possible Impacts Air pollution due to dust generation and air emissions Solid waste generation Surface water quality Water abstraction and consumption Mitigation Measures Sprinkling of water on dry and dusty surfaces regularly including the access roads. Use of waste water to sprinkle at the construction site to reduce excessive dust. Adherence to personal protective clothing such as dust masks. Enforce onsite speed limit regulations. Ensure machines and vehicles are properly and regularly maintained. Erection of speed calming measures near public institutions such as schools, hospitals and town centres. Maximizing the rate of recycling of road resurfacing waste either in the aggregate (e.g. reclaimed asphalt pavement or reclaimed concrete material) or as a base. Incorporating recyclable materials to reduce the volume and cost of new asphalt and concrete mixes. Contracting of an ordinary waste and hazardous waste handler to collect and appropriately dispose wastes from camp sites. Collecting road litter or illegally dumped waste and managing it according to the recommendations in the General EHS Guidelines. Provision of bottle and can recycling and trash disposal receptacles at parking lots to avoid littering along the road. Develop and implement a Construction Waste Management Plan before start of the project. Construct communal septic tank linked to a constructed wetland system. Promote recycling of wastewater in construction activities. Ensure wastewater is channeled and treated in sewerage plants or disposed in septic tanks. Ensure regular maintenance of plumbing system to avoid spillage of wastewater. Discharge of partially treated sewage into septic tanks. Ensure regular maintenance of plumbing system and septic tanks to avoid spillage of raw sewage. Install water conserving taps and toilets. Drainage structures that will be constructed — cross culverts, at the river courses be at appropriate positions. Stone pitching and side drains to cover meaningful lengths along the prone protection areas. Timing of the construction of proposed bridges to coincide with dry periods when water levels in the rivers are low to avoid possible water pollution. Contractor to avoid dumping of waste materials within the riparian zones/ within the watercourses. Bitumen trucks should be washed at designated areas only. Possible Impacts Soil erosion Loss of vegetation cover and biodiversity Health aspect Road safety Occupational health and safety Mitigation Measures Ensure surface runoff generated on impervious surface is not channeled directly to steep slopes. Provide grassed water ways along the access roads. Construct flow breaks on roadside drainage channels. The contractor will source building materials such as gravel, sand, ballast and hard core at the project locality. Consultation should be held with the community members and their representatives on the best sites to source materials and rehabilitation measures should be agreed. All exhausted quarries and borrow pits should be isolated, protected and rehabilitated to usable state before the contract closure. Siting roads and support facilities to avoid critical terrestrial habitat by utilizing existing transport corridors. Minimize clearing and disruption of riparian vegetation, Provide adequate protection against scour and erosion and consider the onset of the rainy season with respect to construction schedules. Minimize removal of indigenous plant species and replant indigenous plant species in disturbed areas. Explore opportunities for habitat enhancement. Develop a comprehensive STDS, HIV and AIDs awareness and control Programmes such as provision of condoms to workers both male and female. Creation of awareness of STDs, HIV/AIDS in workers camps through trainings and installation of posters. Adhere to and implement the Sexual Offences Act, 2006 and its amendment 2012. Avoid long traffic diversion roads. Water diversions to ensure dust is minimized hence easier visibility for drivers. Ensure installation and maintenance of all construction signs, signals, markings, and other devices used to regulate traffic, including posted speed limits, warnings of sharp turns, or other special road conditions. Advance information on communication systems will be an advantage to users. Make traffic circulation changes as per the Traffic Act Cap 403. Development of a transportation management plan for road construction that includes measures to ensure work zone safety. Establishment of work zones to separate workers on foot from traffic and equipment by routing of traffic to alternative roads. Use protective barriers to shield workers from traffic vehicles, regulation of traffic flow by warning lights, design of the work space to eliminate or decrease blind spots, Possible Impacts Disturbance to flora and fauna Possible displacement of people Material sites and material haulage Mitigation Measures and ensure reduction of maximum vehicle speeds in work zones. Training of workers in safety issues related to their activities. Ensure safe practices for work at night and in other low-visibility conditions, including use of high-visibility safety apparel and proper illumination for the work space. Barricade the area around which elevated work is taking place to prevent unauthorized access. Use of the correct asphalt product for each specific application and ensuring application at the correct temperature to reduce the fuming of bitumen during normal handling. Training on correct PPE use and provision of adequate PPEs. Siting roads and support facilities to avoid critical terrestrial and aquatic habitat by utilizing existing transport corridors. Avoidance or modification of construction activities during the breeding season and other sensitive seasons or times of day to account for potentially negative effects. Minimize clearance riparian vegetation. and disruption of Minimize removal of indigenous plant species, and replant indigenous plant species in disturbed areas. Explore opportunities for habitat enhancement through reduced clearance to conserve or restore native species. Relocate all facilities affected in consultations with various parties affected with respect to water, sewerage, pipelines, and electricity. Involvement and continuous consultation of key stakeholders and community members with respect to water, pipelines, and electricity at all stages of the project cycle. Use of an integrated approach in planning public utilities by sharing most transport corridors for roads, water, sewerage, electricity lines, etc. Provision of employment in the project for the squatters where possible. Put in place a grievance redress mechanism as discussed in chapter seven (7) of this report. Environmental impact assessments (EIA) to be undertaken prior to extraction of materials from identified sites and approved by NEMA. Operations of the materials sites to be guided by respective management plans established and approved under the ESIA. Material extractions and delivery should only be done during the day. If borrow pits and quarries are operated, they be fenced off. Proper handling and management of liquid effluent and used waste oil to forestall incidence of surface water bodies. Any abstraction of water from the existing 11th February, 2022 Possible Impacts Noise pollution and excessive vibrations Impacts on flora and fauna biodiversity Increased generation of storm water Loss of human and animal life due to increased road accidents Road safety Mitigation Measures river systems or from boreholes should be undertaken after acquisition of the prerequisite licenses. Rehabilitation of materials sites to take place upon exhaustion (Contractors will provide appropriate rehabilitation plans for each material site). {f commercial material sources are adopted, the Contractor(s) should ensure due diligence process is followed by the suppliers at all times. Material extraction and haulage should be done in dump conditions to keep dust low, especially if it is located within settled areas. Enforcement of Traffic Act regulations to ensure that all vehicles using the road are in good condition all the tme to avoid excessive noise generation. Install speed control measures in town areas and near public institutions Install no hooting signs in sensitive areas such as near schools. etc. Liaise with KWS to ensure that important wildlife crossing corridors and dispersal areas are not affected. Maintenance of road signs at appropriate areas to warn drivers on wildlife crossing paths. Use of storm water management practices that slow peak runoff flow, reduce sediment load and increase infiltration. Regular inspection and maintenance of permanent erosion and runoff control features. Use of vegetated swales, filter strips, terracing, check dams, detention ponds or basins, infiltration trenches and infiltration basins. Repair works to be carried out in dry weather to prevent runoff of asphalt or cement materials. Install speed calming measures next to public institutions, towns and settlement. Provide road signage’s all along the road. Conduct road sensitization programmes. safety Carry out Risk Assessinent to identify risk areas and provide appropriate prevention measures. Installation and maintenance of speed control and traffic calming devices at pedestrian crossing areas. Installation and maintenance of all signs, signals, markings, and other devices used to regulate traffic, specifically those related to pedestrian facilities Installation and maintenance of all signs, signals, markings, and other devices used to regulate traffic, including posted speed limits, warnings of sharp turns, or other special road conditions. Installation of measures to reduce collisions between animals and vehicles (e.g. use of signs to alert drivers on road segments where animals frequently cross). Possible Impacts Increased generation * of solid waste Occupational health ¢ and safety Soil quality . degradation Mitigation Measures Incorporating recyclable materials to reduce the volume and cost of new asphalt and concrete mixes. Collecting road litter or illegally dumped waste and managing it according to the recommendations in the General EHS Guidelines. Provision of bottle and can recycling and trash disposal receptacles at parking lots and bus stops to avord littering along the road. Collecting animal carcasses in a timely manner and disposing them through prompt burial or other environmentally safe methods. Managing sediment and sludge removed from storm drainage systems maintenance activities as a hazardous or non-hazardous waste based on an assessment of its characteristics. Management of all removed paint materials suspected or confirmed of containing tead as hazardous waste. Gnnding of removed, old road surface material and re-use in paving, or stockpiling the reclaim for road bed or other uses. Ensure implementation of the project's operation phase Waste Management Plan. Comply with EMCA Cap 387 Waste Management Regulations, 2006. When undertaking road repairs, use protective barriers to shield workers from traffic vehicles. regulation of traffic flow by warning lights, design of the work space to eliminate or decrease blind spots, and ensure reduction of maximum vehicle speeds in work zones. Training of workers in safety sssues related to road maintenance activities. When undertaking road repairs, ensure safe practices for work at night and in other low- visibility conditions, including use of high- visibility safety apparel and proper iliumination, When repairing the road, use asphalt product of appropriate specification and ensure application at the correct temperature to reduce the fuming of bitumen durimg normal handling. Maintenance of work vehicles and machinery to minimize air emissions. Reduction of engine idling time in construction sites; Use of extenders or other means to direct diese! exhaust away from the operator. Ventilation of indoor areas where vehicles or engines are operated or use of exhaust extractor hose attachments to divert exhaust outside. Carry out Safety Audits. Implement DOSHS improvement orders. Rehabilitate borrow areas. Revegetate cleared areas. Ensure proper drainage infrastructure along the road. Used oil and spills should be disposed in an environmental friendly manner. Possible Impacts Mitigation Measures Risk of spread of * Reduce open gaps in road reserves by invasive species planting appropriate tree species suitable for highway or road side tree planting * Monitor composition of species regenerating along road reserves and take prompt actions in case of emergence of invasive species * Carry out routine road reserves maintenance mainly to clear bushes that may harbor invasive species. Demolition waste * Use of an integrated solid waste management system i.e. through a hierarchy of options: — Source reduction. —Recycling. —Composting and reuse. —Combustion. —Sanitary land filling. ° All buildings, machinery, equipment, and others that will not be used for other purposes must be removed and recycled/reused as far as possible. * All foundations must be removed and recycled, reused or disposed of at a licensed disposal site. ¢ Where recycling/reuse of the machinery, equipment, implements, structures, partitions and other demolition waste 1s not possible, the materials should be taken to a licensed waste disposal site. * Donate reusable demolition waste to charitable organizations, individuals and institutions. Noise and vibration * Sensitize workforce including drivers of construction vehicles, * Install sound barriers for pile driving activity. * Install portable barriers to shield compressors and other small stationary equipment where necessary. ° Proper maintenance of all equipment. ° Workers near high level noise to wear satety and protective gear. Dust emission ° Spray demolished piles of earth with water. * Avoid pouring dust materials from elevated areas to ground. * Cover all trucks hauling soil, sand and other loose materials. * Provide dust screen where necessary. Site degradation * Implement an appropriate re-vegetation programme to restore the site to its original Status. * Consider use of indigenous plant species in revegetation. 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 Wwww.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 MAMOB. MAMO, Director-General, MR/3253479 National Environment Management.