The Republic of Kenya

Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development

The Republic of Uganda
Ministry of Works and Transport

Project for Master Plan on Logistics

in Northern Economic Corridor

Final Report
Annex - Data Book -
Volume 2

March 2017

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

Nippon Koei Co., Ltd.

Eight-Japan Engineering Consultants Inc. EI
PADECO Co., Ltd. JR
17-053
The Republic of Kenya
Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development
The Republic of Uganda
Ministry of Works and Transport

Project for Master Plan on Logistics

in Northern Economic Corridor

Final Report
Annex - Data Book -
Volume 2

March 2017

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

Nippon Koei Co., Ltd.

Eight-Japan Engineering Consultants Inc.
PADECO Co., Ltd.
 Project for Master Plan on Logistics in Northern Economic Corridor
Annex - Databook - Volume 2

Table of Contents

Data 5: Strategic Environmental Assessment (Kenya)

i
 Data 5:
Strategic
Environmental
Assessment
(Kenya)
 Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for
the Formulation of a Master Plan on Logistics in
the Northern Economic Corridor, Kenya

Volume I: Final SEA Report

February 2017

www.erm.com

ERM consulting services worldwide www.erm.com

Proponent: Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure
Report Title: Final SEA Report for the Strategic Environmental
Assessment (SEA) for the Formulation of a Master Plan on
Logistics in the Northern Economic Corridor, Kenya.

Name and Address of Firm of Experts:

ERM East Africa Limited
P. O. Box 100798-00101
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel. + 254 20 49 38 113/4
Registration No. of Firm of Exerts: 7264

Signed: Date: 03rd February 2017

For: ERM East Africa Ltd
Michael Jon Everett
Lead EIA/Audit Expert No 7263

Name and Address of Proponent:

Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure,
PO Box 30260-00100,
Transcom House,
Ngong Road,
Nairobi,
Kenya.

Signed: ___________________________ Date: 03rd February 2017

For:
Eng. Francis Gitau, State Department of Infrastructure
ACRONYMS

ACZ Agro Climatic Zone

AEZ Agro-Ecological Zones
ASAL Arid and Semi-Arid Land
AZE Alliance for Zero Extinction
BID Background Information Document
CBD Central Business District
CR Critically Endangered
DD Data Deficient
DEM Digital Elevation Model
DOSHS Department of Occupational Safety and Health
DUV Direct Use Value
E&S Environmental and Social
EACC East African Coastal Current
EAM Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity
EARS East African Rift System
EBAs Endemic Bird Areas
ECC Equatorial Counter Current
EHS Environmental, Health and Safety
EIA Environmental Impact Assessment
EMCA Environmental Management Coordination Act (1999)
EN Endangered
ERM Environmental Resources Management
ESIA Environmental and Social Impact Assessment
ESMMP Environmental and Social Management and Monitoring Plan
EV Existence Value
EX Extinct
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
FR Forest Reserve
GCA Groundwater Conservation Area
GDP Gross Domestic Product
GHG Green House Gas
GIIP Good International Industry Practice
GISD Global Invasive Species Database
GoK Government of Kenya
GR Game Reserve
IBA Important Bird Area
IFC International Finance Corporation
ITCZ Inter Tropical Convergence Zone
IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature
IUV Indirect Use Value
I&APs Interested & Affected Parties
JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency
JST JICA Study Team
KBA Key Biodiversity Area
KFS Kenya Forest Service
KIPPRA Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis
KNBS Kenya National Bureau of Statistics
KWS Kenya Wildlife Service
KWTA Kenya Water Tower Agency
LC Least Concern
MAB Man and Biosphere Reserve
MGR Meter Gauge Railway
MoTI Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure
MoWT Ministry of Works and Transport
MP Master Plan
MPA Marine Protected Area
MR Main Arterial Road
NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NCTTCA Northern Corridor Transit Transport Coordination Authority
ND GAIN (University of) Notre Dame Global Adaptation Index
NEC Northern Economic Corridor
NEMA National Environment Management Authority
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NP National Park
NR National Reserve
NT Near Threatened
PA Protected Area
PPP Policy, Plan or Program
SC Somali Current
SEA Strategic Environmental Assessment
SEP Stakeholder Engagement Plan
TEV Total Economic Value
ToR Terms of Reference
UNEP United Nations Environment Program
UNEP FI United Nations Environment Program Finance Initiative
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
UNESCO
Organization
USGS United States Geological Survey
VU Vulnerable
WCMA World Conservation Monitoring Centre
WHO World Health Organization
WHS World Heritage Site
WRMA Water Resources Management Authority
WS Wildlife Sanctuary
ABBREVIATIONS

% Percent
µg Microgram
⁰C Degrees Celsius
COx Carbonaceous Oxides
CO2 Carbon Dioxide
dB Decibel
G Gram
H2S Hydrogen Sulphide
Ha Hectare
KES Kenya Shillings
kg Kilograms
km Kilometres
km2 Square kilometres
Kshs Kenya Shillings
l Litre
M Million
m Metre
m2 Square meters
Ma Million Years Ago
Mw Moment Magnitude
N Nitrogen
Ni Nickel
NOX Nitrogenous Oxides
O2 Oxygen
Pb Lead
PMX Particulate Matter
S Sulphur
SOX Sulphurous Oxides
USD United States Dollars
Zn Zinc
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY

PPP: Master Plan on Logistics for the Northern Economic Corridor

(NEC), along with an integrated regional development strategy
consistent with sub-regional and national development plans in Kenya.

PPP Owner: Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure (MoTI).

Master Plan Study Team

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Study Team (JST),

consisting of the following 16 experts, undertook the Master Plan study:

 Team Leader/ Development Planning;

 Logistics Plan;
 Infrastructure Development;
 Logistics Infrastructure 1;
 Logistics Infrastructure 2 (Railway);
 Freight Traffic Analysis and Demand Forecasting;
 Industrial Development and Investment Promotion;
 Public-Private Partnership;
 Mineral Resources and Energy;
 Power;
 Agriculture and Agri-Business;
 Urban Development/Land Use Specialist;
 Water;
 Economist (Socio Economic Analysis);
 Environmentalist (Social and Environmental Considerations); and
 Coordinator/Human Resource Development.

Northern Economic Corridor

The Northern Economic Corridor (NEC) is a multi-modal corridor,

consisting of road, rail, pipeline, and inland waterways transport, and is
recognized as a significant corridor for logistics in East Africa. The main
road network runs from Mombasa Sea Port through Kenya and
Uganda, to Rwanda and Burundi, and to the Democratic Republic of
Congo (DRC). The road network also links Kenya and Uganda to Juba
in South Soudan.

There are some obstacles presently in the NEC that have led to an
increase in transport costs and significant time delays within the NEC

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

I
and have hindered the economic development of the region, specifically
inland areas. These obstacles include:

 inadequate infrastructure;
 poor connectivity of modes;
 long delays of cargo at the port and border posts; and
 lack of goods to transport for the return trip from the inland area to
Mombasa port.

Based on these obstacles, the overall objective of the Master Plan is to

improve logistics for the NEC as well as to provide an integrated
regional development strategy consistent with sub-regional and
national development plans. It is hoped that this will:

 spur regional economic development within Kenya, as well as

Uganda,
 improve the development of the industrial, agricultural, mining,
petroleum, manufacturing and tourism sectors,
 lead to transport and logistics infrastructure development,
 result in an efficient and integrated multi-modal transportation
system,
 result in the diversification of financial sources for infrastructure
through PPP arrangements and infrastructure bonds, and
 reduce the bottlenecks to efficient cargo transportation, such as
road and port congestion, as well as cross border delays.

Master Plan Development Vision and Strategies

The development vision for the NEC is: ‘to be the leading economic
corridor with integrated transport and logistics systems in Africa’. The
Development Vision has four key words/phrases which make the NEC
distinct from other corridors, and these are:

 leading, to be the leading, most efficient and reliable in Africa and

the success can be applied to other corridors,
 integrated transportation system, which offers diversified and
multi-modal options (road, rail, waterway, and pipeline) and
facilitates regional integration in East Africa,
 integrated logistic hub, in which multi-modal options are available,
and industrial areas connected and promoted by transport and
logistic infrastructure,
 economic corridor, stimulate regional economic development in
the area surrounding the corridor through development of

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

II
 transport infrastructure, logistic facilities and creating industries
(JST, 2016).

The proposed Development Vision will be attained through the

implementation of 5 strategies, namely regional, industrial, and
transport strategies, which will be strengthened by organizational and
policy strategy as illustrated in
Figure 0.1 below.

Figure 0.1 Proposed Five Strategies for the NEC

Source: JST, 2016

Master Plan Target Areas:

The target area of the Master Plan study covers the following routes
and surrounding areas (1):

 Main route
o Mombasa – Nairobi – Tororo –Kampala – Katuna – Kigali
(Rwanda)

 Sub-routes
o Eldoret – Nadapal – Juba (South Sudan)
o Tororo – Gulu – Elegu – Juba
o Kampala – Gulu – Elegu – Juba
o Mbarara – Mpondwe – Kisangani (DRC)

(1) It is important to note that an SEA is also being carried out in Uganda, under consultation with NEMA Uganda

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

III
Overall Implementation Strategy

The JST has selected 23 flagship projects that can contribute to

continued logistics improvement along the NEC, to future economic
development of Kenya and Uganda, as well as the region. The primary
aim of these flagship projects is to:

 Solve future logistics bottlenecks along the NEC including at the

port, roads, and logistic hubs,
 Contribute to cross border infrastructure, such as pipelines and
transmission lines,
 Develop key industrial areas along the NEC,
 Ensure power and water supply to identified key industrial
areas, and
 Support agribusiness and mining business developments.

The locations of the 23 NEC flagship projects are shown in

Figure 0.2 and Table 0.1 below:

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

IV
Figure 0.2 Location of Flagship NEC Projects in Kenya and Uganda

Source: JST, 2016

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

V
Table 0.1 Location of Flagship NEC Projects in Kenya and Uganda

No. Sector Project Title

1 Mining Eldoret-Kampala-Kigali Oil Pipeline Project

2 Mining ICT Project in Northern Corridor

3 Road Logistics Highway Project

4 Logistics Logistic Hub Project

Northern Corridor Integration Backbone (Power Generation, Transmission and

5 Power
Interconnectivity)

6 Road Eldoret-Juba Highway Project

7 Port Mombasa Port Development Project

8 Urban Dev’t Project for Support of Re-organizing Logistics Facilities around Mombasa Port Area

9 Water Stony Athi Dam and Upper Athi Dam Project

10 Water Mwache Dam Project

11 Power Isinya-Nairobi East Transmission Line Project

12 Industry Geothermal Energy Based Regional Industrial Development in Rift Valley

13 Power Geothermal Project in Rift Valley

14 Power Mombasa Coal Power and Mariakani Substation Project

15 Power Dongo Kundu-Mariakani Transmission Project

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

VI
16 Industry Mombasa Special Economic Zone Project

Project for Building Up Competitiveness of Construction Materials and Machinery

17 Industry
Industry in Kenya

18 Agriculture Agricultural Financing Improvement Project in Nairobi

19 Agriculture Value Chain of Agriculture Development Pilot Project in Kenya

20 Urban Dev’t Logistics Based Kisumu-Kakamega Metropolitan Area Development Project

21 Mining Study on Mining Master Plan in Uganda

Project for Building Up Competitiveness of Construction Materials and Machinery

22 Industry
Industry in Uganda

23 Agriculture Value Chain of Agriculture Development Pilot Project in Uganda

24 Power Kampala-North-Namungona-Mutundwe 132 kV Transmission Line Refurbishment

25 Urban Dev’t Great Kampala (including Jinja) Logistic Based Urban Development Project

26 Urban Dev’t Study on master Plan for Urban Transport Development for Regional cities

27 Industry SEZ Development Project in Kampala

Source: JST, 2016

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

VII
Objectives of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Study

To identify the potentially significant environmental and social issues

relating to the Master Plan that will need to be addressed.

SEA Consultants

ERM East Africa Ltd. was appointed by JST to undertake the SEA for
the Master Plan. ERM (and specialists appointed by ERM during the
course of this SEA) have no financial ties to, nor are they a subsidiary,
legally or financially, of JST.

ERM is a global environmental consulting organisation with over 150

offices in 40 countries employing more than 5,000 people. ERM, the
world’s leading sustainability consultancy, has operated throughout
Africa for over thirty-five years, and our Sub-Saharan Africa Business
Division with over 200 employees, is currently based in South Africa
(Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg), Mozambique (Maputo) and
East Africa (Nairobi). Environmental Resources Management East
Africa is registered with NEMA as a Firm of EIA/Audit Experts, Reg.
No 7264.

SEA Methodology and Approach

The SEA was undertaken in fulfilment of:

 JICA Guidelines for Environmental and Social Considerations

(2010) ,
 Kenyan Environmental Management Coordination Act of 1999
and 2015 (EMCA), and
 National Guidelines for SEA in Kenya (2012).

Screening

Screening is carried out to establish whether an SEA is appropriate and

relevant to the development of a plan policy or program (PPP). It is
used to determine the potential of a PPP to result in significant impacts
on the environment and to determine if a SEA is required.

A PPP Brief was submitted to NEMA in June 2015 by the JST on behalf
of MoTI. The screening results were thereafter communicated to the
Ministry, i.e., the decision by NEMA that an SEA was necessary, and

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

VIII
 was to be carried out in accordance with the National Guidelines for
SEA in Kenya (2012).

Scoping

The scoping stage establishes the focus and content of the SEA and the
relevant criteria for assessment. The scoping study identified the
potentially significant environmental and social impacts relating to the
PPP that needed to be addressed as part of the SEA Study. The scoping
study was carried out by ERM between October 2015 and February
2016. The Scoping Report was submitted to NEMA on the 02nd March
2016 and the Report was approved by NEMA on 06th April 2016.
Reference number NEMA/SEA/5/2/043.

Baseline Data Collection and Constraints Mapping

Due to the extensive coverage of the Master Plan, the level of baseline
data was collected at County and City levels from secondary data,
mainly the most recent County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs),
Strategic Plans and the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. Baseline
data was collected as per the National Guidelines for SEA in Kenya
(NEMA, 2012), as indicated in Box 0.1.

Box 0.1 Baseline Data Collected

Physical environment - including climate, air quality, water resources

and water quality, noise, topography, soils, geology, hydrology
including risks of natural disasters.
Biological conditions - biodiversity, ecology and nature conservation
in which issues of endangered species, protected ecosystems, habitat,
species of commercial importance, invasive species and their impacts
are assessed.
Social-economic conditions and human health – including
archaeology and cultural heritage landscape and facial aspects,
recreational, social-economic aspects, land use, transportation,
infrastructure, agricultural development, tourism, and human health.

Document Review

A detailed literature review was undertaken based on the findings of

the scoping process, which involved reviewing legislation, policies,
County Development Plans, and previous studies carried out in the
area to determine the baseline conditions and establish the legal,
institutional and biophysical and socio-economic environmental setting
of the proposed project.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

IX
The desk based study also included the development of Key Informant
Interview (KII) questionnaires/guided discussions, as well as the
approach to continued stakeholder engagement as outlined in the
Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP).

Identifying Constraints and Opportunities

Constraints are features which limit the potential transport options

available. Constraints identified by the SEA experts included:

 areas with extensive development within urban areas through to

landscape and environmental constraints in most rural areas,
 physical features which exert special constraints on the shape of the
logistics strategy, such as sensitive areas of landscape or heritage
importance, areas of fertile soils with higher agricultural potential,
water sources, groundwater conservation zones, built-up areas, hilly
terrain, rivers and railways that are expensive to bridge, etc.,
 biological features, which most importantly include national parks,
forest reserves, areas of conservation importance (such as wetlands,
Important Bird Areas, areas of endemism), sites of international
importance (recognised UNESCO and Ramsar sites and biodiversity
hot-spots), and
 Institutional or legal constraints which are important to take into
account, e.g., the provision of elements of the public transport
system by private operators who will have their own commercial
objectives. The extent to which these institutional and legal
constraints have a material bearing on the outcome of the SEA
depend on the extent to which the recommendations are developed
with the private suppliers of transport.

In parallel with listing constraints, any opportunities to improve the

transport and logistic system more widely or to have positive impacts
on issues of wider concern, such as regeneration, were noted. Examples
of opportunities include:

 ways of making better use of the existing infrastructure or existing

underused assets (e.g. reopening rail lines),
 transport that opens up development land for regeneration or
housing,
 enhancements to the environment,
 employment,
 contribution to the economy,

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

X
 opportunities to plan for better social infrastructure such as housing,
schooling, health facilities, and
 the NEC Master Plan making tourism and heritage sites more
accessible,.

Impact Assessment and Mitigation

The significance of the impact was formulated as a function of the

receptor or resource environmental value (or sensitivity) and the
magnitude of project impact (change). In other words, significance
criteria are used to report the effect of the impact.

The approach to assigning the significance of impacts was based on

reasoned arguments, professional judgement and taking on board the
advice and views of appropriate Stakeholders.

Significance categories were used for positive (beneficial) as well as

negative (adverse) effects. Applying the formula, the greater the
environmental sensitivity or value of the receptor or resource, and the
greater the magnitude of impact, the more significant the effect.

Determining the Significance of Cumulative Impacts

Five categories were e used as a framework for determining

significance of cumulative effects, as follows:
 Severe - effects that the decision-maker must take into account as
the receptor/resource is irretrievably compromised
 Major - effects that may become a key decision-making issue
 Moderate - effects that are unlikely to become issues on whether
the project design should be selected, but where future work
may be needed to improve on current performances
 Minor - effects that are locally significant
 Not significant - effects that are beyond the current forecasting
ability or are within the ability of the resource to absorb such
change.

Stakeholder Engagement

The objectives of engaging stakeholders and the general public during

the SEA process and beyond include:

 Ensuring understanding: An open, inclusive and transparent

process of engagement and communication was undertaken to
ensure that stakeholders were well informed about the Master Plan

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

XI
 as it developed. Information was disclosed as early and as
comprehensively as possible and appropriate.

 Involving stakeholders in the assessment: Stakeholders were

included in the scoping of issues as well as the SEA Study. They also
played an important role in providing local knowledge and
information for the baseline to inform the impact assessment.

 Building relationships: Through supporting open dialogue,

engagement helped establish and maintain a productive
relationship between the Master Plan and stakeholders. This
supports not only an effective SEA, but also strengthens the existing
relationships and builds new relationships between MoTI and
stakeholders.

 Ensuring compliance: The process was designed to ensure

compliance with both national regulatory requirements and
international best practice

Stakeholder Identification and Mapping

Stakeholder identification was undertaken through a brainstorming

process and to guide the exercise, the following questions were asked:

 Which people/groups/institutions would be interested in the

Master Plan development and implementation? What is/would be
their role?
 Who are the potential beneficiaries of the NEC?
 Who might be adversely impacted? Who has constraints about the
initiative?
 Who may impact the Master Plan? Who has the power to influence?

Thereafter, a list of stakeholder’s organizations was developed and

grouped as government, civil society, NGOs and private sector.

Stakeholder Meetings

Various stakeholder meetings were then held as shown in Table 0.2 and
Table 0.3 below. It is important to note that since the coverage area of
the Master Plan is so extensive:

 the target participants was limited to high level officials, and

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

XII
  the places where the stakeholder meetings were conducted was
limited to major cities/towns along the Corridor, namely
Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu and Malaba (1) .

Baseline Phase Engagement

Two sets of opinion surveys/questionnaires were administered during

the stakeholder meetings. The results were used to inform the baseline
data.

Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were held with stakeholders in April

and May 2016, where the interviewees were taken through a guided
discussion for the interview schedule. The interviews were held one on
one between Stakeholders and individual SEA team members.

Website

A website for the purpose of information disclosure of the activities

related to SEA was also developed. The website has been used for the
advertisement of events such as stakeholder meetings but also reports
and documents related to the Master Plan and SEA are kept there for
download and review by the public. This website is hosted on the
server of the MoTI and as such will continue to be updated after the
SEA study by the Ministry. The address for the website is:
http://www.transport.go.ke/Projects.html

SEA Validation

The Draft Report was submitted to NEMA on 28th October 2016.

Thereafter, advertisements were placed in the media (the Daily Nation
and the Kenya Gazette adverts) calling for the public to submit their
comments.

The Draft SEA Report was then made available for inspection at the
Ministry of Environmental and Natural Resources and NEMA offices.
The Report was also made available for download at the NEMA and
MoTI websites.

The validation workshop was held on Tuesday 24th January 2017,

where the Draft Report was presented to Stakeholders. Table 0.4
provides a summary of the comments received on the Draft SEA
Report.

(1) This was agreed in consultative meetings between NEMA/JST/MoTI.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

XIII
Table 0.2 Stakeholder Meetings at the Scoping Stage

Date Location Venue Attendees

02 November 2015 Nairobi
nd Silver Springs Hotel JICA, various Government Ministries,
PIEA, LAPSSET Authority, KURA, Traffic
Police, NEMA, KPC, SP Advisory, Toyota
Tsusho East Africa Ltd, KIFWA, KURA,
KeNHA, KeRRA
04th November 2015 Mombasa Best Western Creekside Hotel Ministry of Lands, KIFWA, KPRL,
NCTTCA, KPA
06th November 2015 Nakuru Merica Hotel Ministry of Industrialisation, NEMA, KAM,
Ministry of Labour, Social Security and
Services, County Government of Nakuru
09th November 2015 Kisumu Imperial Hotel Ministry of Energy, NEMA, KeNHA and
Lake Victoria Basin Development Authority
09th November 2015 Kisumu Kisumu County Government Offices Kisumu County Government CEC-
Information Communication and
Technology
10th November 2015 Kisumu Kenya Association of Manufacturers KAM Western and Nyanza Region and the
(KAM) Offices in Kisumu Kenya National Chambers of Commerce
and Industry (KNCCI)-Western and
Nyanza Region
10th November 2015 Kisumu County Government Offices, City Hall, Kisumu County
Kisumu Government City Planner
10th November 2015 Kisumu Kisumu County Government Offices Kisumu County
Government CEC- Industrialisation
10th November 2015 Kisumu Tom Mboya Labour College, Kisumu Government Officials from Busia County
City

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

XIV
Date Location Venue Attendees
11th November 2015 Malaba Hotel Lavantes Sub County Officers - Busia County, Kenya
Urban Roads Authority (KURA), Kenya
National Highways Authority (KeNHA),
Kenya National Chambers of Commerce
and Industry (KNCCI), NEMA, Customs
and Revenue Business Owners Association,
Amagoro Motor Cycle Boda-Boda
Association, Community of Malaba.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

XV
Table 0.3 Stakeholder Meetings at the SEA Study Stage

Date Location Venue Attendees

04th May 2016 Kisumu Imperial Hotel MoTI, JST, KeNHA, LBDA, NIB, Maseno
University, NEMA, KMFRI, AFFA
06th May 2016 Malaba Hotel Lavantes MoTI, JST, County Government of Busia,
KeRRA, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock
and Fisheries, FOPPS SACCO, Immigration
Malaba Border. KeNHA, KeRRA, NEMA
09th May 2016 Mombasa Best Western Creekside Hotel MoTI, JST, Immigration Department,
CORDIO East Africa, Coast Water Services
Board, KPRL, KMA, NEMA, KeRRA,
KNCC, KFS, NCTTCA
11th May 2016 Nakuru Merica Hotel MoTI, JST, KeNHA, MOEID, Department of
Immigration, KeRRA, Egerton University,
NEMA
13th May 2016 Nairobi Silver Springs Hotel MoTI, JST, KARA, AFIPEK, Kenya Water
Institute, JICA Kenya, FEAFFA, KWS,
PIEA, Green Belt Movement, LAPSSET,
KeRRA, Nature Kenya. RVR, Kenya
Pipeline Company, KNCCI, KFWG,
Transport Union, National Museums of
Kenya
01st September 2016 Nairobi CS Board Room, Works Building, MoTI Principal Secretary (PS) Representatives
from the following State Departments:
Planning and Statistics, Water, Devolution,
Public Work, MoTI, JST
22nd September 2016 Nairobi Panafric Hotel Representative from the Council of
Governors, Ministry of Devolution and
Planning, MoTI, JST.
The SEA Report will also be presented at future meetings, during the disclosure/validation process.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

XVI
Table 0.4 Summary of Comments Raised on the Draft SEA Report

Theme Issue Response

Biophysical  Consultants to update their information on  Information on vultures had already been provided in
issues biodiversity Section 5.4.2 of the Draft SEA Report wherein the species
 Four species of vulture now considered of vulture likely to be found in the NEC are identified
critically endangered on a global scale were  IBAs were already included in Section 5.4.4 of the Draft
not included in the Draft SEA Report SEA Report under IBAs and EBAs.
 Provided a list of IBAs in the NEC and their
threatened species
 The classification of the Negative Impact on  The impact of air pollution on biophysical features is
air pollution as “moderate” is not true, since classed as moderate based on available information.
we do not have sufficient data Each project within the NEC Master Plan should
monitor emissions since this will support the
development of baseline data on air quality to address
the observed information gaps.
Climate change  No information on the environmental and  These have been added in Sections 5.3, 9.6, 9.10.2 and 9.12
climate change impacts associated with the of the Final SEA Report
Mombasa Coal Power and Mariakani sub-  Cumulative impacts of the Master Plan’s potential
station project contribution to global warming and climate change is
already classed as severe.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

XVII
Theme Issue Response
Comparison of  No examination of alternatives to the  Chapter 7 (Alternative Policy, Options and Strategies)
Alternatives inclusion of the Mombasa coal fired power examines alternatives to the Master Plan at a strategic
plant in the NEC MP as opposed to level. Scenario analysis is used to present alternative
individual projects that would generate the futures of the Multi-Core with Regional Industrial
same quantity of power but from renewable Development Type, i.e., the preferred alternative and the
energy sources focus of the SEA Study
 Chapter 11 (ESMF) outlines requirements for detailed
ESIA to be carried on projects developed under the NEC
Master Plan. These project-level ESIA's will examine
alternatives to NEC projects including the Mombasa coal
fired power plant.
Stakeholder  Wider consultations within the stakeholders  As the coverage area of the Master Plan is so extensive,
Engagement involved with the leather industry e.g., the the interests of many stakeholders can only be
Athi River Ecosystem and downstream represented by umbrella bodies rather than specific
communities organizations. The leather industry and Athi River
ecosystem communities were represented by the
Ministry of Industrialization and Enterprise
Development and NGOs respectively.
 The National Land Commission (NLC)  NLC was identified as important stakeholder (see Annex
should be included as a key institution to E1, Stakeholder Database) as well as an Institution
implement the SEA involved in the implementation of the ESMF (Chapter
11).
 Was Kenya National Human Rights  KNHCR was identified as important stakeholder (see
Commission (KNHCR) mapped in Annex E1, Stakeholder Database) as well as an Institution
considering socio economic factors involved in the implementation of the ESMF (Chapter
11).
 How are all the communities supposed to  The SEA engaged in high level consultations, which
benefit from the NEC MP? were meant to be cascaded downwards. The process
was a top-bottom engagement as opposed to bottom –
top engagement
 Communities will benefit at the project-level

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

XVIII
Theme Issue Response
Contents of the  Concerned that this is not really a SEA but  These concerns have already been addressed in the Draft
SEA Report more a ‘big’ EIA but done at such a general SEA Report with are tied to any of the specific elements
level that the information used is very non- of the Master Plan (Chapters 9, 10 and 11).
specific, and none of the recommendations  The ESMF (Chapter 11) provides a strategic framework
indicated are tied to any of the specific that links or limits these projects or the EIAs related to
elements of the Master Plan them
 While (the SEA) does recommend that each  The SEA team will have a workshop with JST/MoTI on
of the 119 component projects has an EIA how the ESMF will work going forward
done for it, it does not provide anything of a
strategic framework that links or limits these
projects or the EIAs related to them
 Would have thought more strategic and
integrative issues would have been indicated,
such as the issue of the key alternatives for a
major controversial feature
Impact  For the soil protected areas, mitigation is  The term necessary is based on the engineering
Assessment given as “Limiting excavation in necessary specifications of each infrastructure project. This is
and Mitigation areas” Define the term “Necessary because land/excavation requirements and construction
methods vary by project type and through optimizations
in the latter the former can be limited. Thus, it is the
principle of limiting excavation based on those
engineering specifications that is being suggested.
 How are the unseen loses of the social  This was addressed in Section 10.6.1 (Loss of Cultural
cultural loses captured in the SEA Heritage) of the Draft SEA Report
Land use  Land use plans are currently not in place, this  Section 6.9.1 (Land Use) of the Draft SEA Report already
should be covered in the Report addressed this issue.
 Section 4.8.2 (Social Baseline Gaps and Uncertainties) of
the Draft SEA Report also identified lack of land use
shapefiles/plans and the resulting use of shapefiles
(data) from KWS.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

XIX
Theme Issue Response
 How is the issue of subdivision handled in  Section 6.9.1 (Land Use) of the Final Report lists land sub-
the SEA division as one of the factors that leads to high land
values. Subdivision of land in most cases is as a result of
land speculation which results to high land values.
 Stating that urbanisation and land tenure are  Urbanisation refers to the opening up of virgin land, or
negative impacts is wrong. You should the development of rural areas into new towns, or
instead refer to urban sprawl (instead of smaller areas of concentrated developments for
urbanisation) and security of land tenure industrial estates with some commercial space and
(instead of just land tenure) institutional space and supported by relevant public
services, facilities and infrastructure (Huat, 2016).
 Urban Growth refers to the extension of certain parts or
the expansion of the central core areas or fringe centres
of small or large existing urbanized areas. The degree of
change is incremental and sprawling (Huat, 2016).
 Provision of all the relevant public services is key in the
differentiation of urbanization and urban growth. Along
NEC the urban centres that will emerge will attract
public services and urbanisation is the correct term to use
 Different land tenure system (discussed in Section 6.9.1)
will affect the process of land acquisition and not
insecurity of land tenure system.
Land  What is the role of SEA and RAP in Land  The role of SEA is to smoothen the implementation of
Acquisition and Acquisition, have we proposed acquisition of the Master Plan. RAPs will be undertaken on a project by
Resettlement the Right of Way through creation of Land project level.
Banks  During Scoping Engagement workshop in Nairobi, the
Survey of Kenya observed that most infrastructural
projects were costly due to increasing cost of land. It was
recommended that the Government should establish a
land bank for future infrastructural projects.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

XX
Key Impacts and Mitigation Measures

Table 0.5 below provides a summary of the key environmental and

social impacts as well as mitigation measures identified during the SEA
Study.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

XXI
Table 0.5 Key Environmental and Social Impacts and Mitigation Measures

Impacts Mitigation Measure

Environmental
Habitat Alteration and  Avoiding all high value biological constraints
Biodiversity Impacts  Aligning new infrastructure with existing RoWs or defined corridors,
 Limiting the size of construction RoWs where possible, and
 Complying with existing land use and PA management plans
Air Emissions  Complying with the Air Quality Regulations (2014) and emission standards as provided in
KS 1515,
 Using cleaner energy sources and promoting their use,
 Limiting land conversion to only necessary areas, and
 Managing wastes according to regulations in addition to employing the 3Rs to ensure they
are managed sustainably.
Landscape Modification  Locating infrastructure with existing land use plans,
 Complying with ecosystem management plans of protected areas,
 Limiting the size of construction RoWs, and
 Avoiding protected areas and settlements
Soil  Limiting excavations to only necessary areas,
 Implementing soil conservation strategies in areas with high Soil Erosion Potential,
 Complying with waste management regulations,
 Complying with regulations and guidelines on soil conservation such as those provided by
land use plan, ecosystem management plans and those gazetted by the Agriculture and
Food Authority, and
 Implementing run-off and water management measures
Hydrology and Hydrogeology  Avoiding wetlands, water towers, groundwater conservation areas and flood plains,
 Implementing water ingress management measures as appropriate, and
 Controlling run-off from infrastructure and implementing sustainable drainage systems
(SUDS) which mimic or allow natural percolation of water.

Pollution  Developing complementary waste management facilities including a sanitary landfill and a
hazardous waste disposal facility,

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

XXII
Impacts Mitigation Measure
 Integrating Life Cycle Assessments into the project level environmental risk management,
 Managing wastes (collection, transport and disposal) in accordance to the provisions of the
Waste Management Regulations (2006) and providing adequate equipment and facilities to
do so, and
 Integrating the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) of waste management in NEC MP and at the
project level.
Natural Resource Demand  Integrating Life Cycle Assessment into the project level environmental risk management,
 Complying with regulations governing resource extraction such as Forests Act (2005),
EMCA (2014), Sand Harvesting Guidelines (2009), Water Resource Management Rules
(2006) and Water Act (2014) amongst others,
 Adopting sustainability standards at the project level such as those pertaining to green
building and energy efficiency (LEED),
 Ensuring building materials are sourced from sustainable sources, and
 Implementing demand management and resource efficiency measures for water, electricity
and materials.
Accidents  Complying with industry guidelines and regulations in the design of infrastructure,
 Implementing and supporting programs to ensure vehicles and crafts are maintained to
regulatory approved standards,
 Implementing and supporting programs that ensure drivers and pilots are adequately
trained to operate their respective vehicles and crafts,
 Implementing and supporting programs aimed at raising public awareness in the pertinent
industries, and
 Developing project level emergency/disaster preparedness and response plans.
Spills  Developing project level emergency/disaster preparedness and response plans as well as
spill contingency plans and providing resources to respond to spills,
 Complying with the National Oil Spill Response Plan by integrating its provisions to any
project level contingency plans,
 Implementing and supporting monitoring programs at the project level,
 Providing training to project staff on spill prevention and management, and
 Adhering to industry guidelines on the design and maintenance of any fluid storage,
loading and conveyance equipment and infrastructure.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

XXIII
Impacts Mitigation Measure
Natural Hazard  Avoiding construction in flood plains in line with industry guidelines,
 Integrating considerations for seismicity in the engineering design of infrastructure in
seismically active areas,
 Complying with industry guidelines for the design and maintenance of dams such as those
published by the International Commission for Large Dams (ICOLD),
 Avoidance of fault zones,
 Incorporating landslide prevention measures for any construction in landslide prone areas,
 Implementing and supporting disaster/emergency preparedness and response plans and
programs at the project level,
 Implementing and supporting programs aimed at raising personnel and public awareness
on potential hazards, and
 Integrating the provisions of the National Disaster Response Plan into project level
disaster/emergency preparedness and response plans, and coordinating with the pertinent
authorities.
Socio-Economic
Loss of Cultural Heritage  The presence of cultural heritage assets would need to be confirmed in detailed studies
associated with each potential project; this could influence the design and location of
infrastructure, commercial enterprises and industrial facilities.
 Incorporation of heritage sites into tourism master plans as a way of preserving such sites
 Projects associated with the construction and operation of infrastructure should be subject
to Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) commensurate with the scale of the
project and impacts which includes consideration of cultural heritage and the development
of appropriate mitigation and management plans.
 In terms of locally important cultural heritage sites, any loss or alteration to such sites
should be consulted on, and agreed, with the local communities and the custodians of the
site. If necessary, appropriate rituals should be undertaken to move the cultural asset, or to
otherwise expiate disturbance or loss of the site.
 A framework “chance finds procedure” should be developed to support the Master Plan
which involves and references all relevant ministries, other agencies and major cultural
heritage stakeholders in the country. The framework procedure should be deployed within
the construction and management planning for all developments implemented under the

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

XXIV
Impacts Mitigation Measure
auspices of the Plan.
Livelihood  Institutional strengthening and capacity building for agencies across the NEC who are
responsible for promoting and coordinating commercial developments to ensure that social
risks are adequately understood and addressed through mitigation
Rural Urban Migration  Infrastructure projects should be subject to Environmental and Social Impact Assessment
(ESIA) undertaken in line with international standards such as those of the World Bank or
the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The scope of the ESIA should always include
consideration of rural – urban migration.
 Urban development plans / CIDP should also cater for rural-urban migration.
Public Health  Infrastructure projects should be subject to Environmental and Social Impact Assessment
(ESIA) undertaken in line with international standards such as those of the World Bank or
the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The scope of the ESIA should always include
consideration of health related impacts. For large Projects this may require that
appropriately qualified international experts are appointed to address impacts on health.
 The development and implementation of HIV/AIDS/malaria policies and information
documents for all workers directly related NEC projects. The information document will
address factual health issues as well as behaviour change issues around the transmission
and infection of HIV/AIDS as well as malaria.
 All projects should have a Worker Code of Conduct for all project personnel that include
guidelines on worker-worker interactions, worker-community interactions and
development of personal relationships with members of the local communities. As part of
the Worker Code of Conduct, all project personnel should be prohibited from engaging in
illegal activities including the use of commercial sex workers and transactional sex.
Anyone caught engaging in illegal activities will be subject to disciplinary proceedings. If
workers are found to be in contravention of the Code of Conduct, which they will be
required to sign at the commencement of their contract, they will face disciplinary
procedures that could result in dismissal.
 Working in conjunction with relevant partners (eg health authorities, NGOs, development
agencies), information, education and communication campaigns around diseases and
health practices should be developed as part of the Master Plan implementation
Insecurity  The successful implementation of the NEC Master Plan Strategies will require the active

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

XXV
Impacts Mitigation Measure
participation of the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government.
Land Acquisition and  Formulation and implementation of a land title management project to establish a land title
resettlement database with cadastral map information, and
 Arrangement of technical assistance for a land acquisition and resettlement program
 Any physical and/or economic resettlement of communities should be subject to the
development of Resettlement Action Plans/ Livelihood Restoration Plans which should be
prepared in line with Kenyan regulations and international best practice as defined by the
World Bank or International Finance Corporation.
 Institutional strengthening and capacity building for agencies across the NEC who are
responsible for promoting and coordinating commercial developments to ensure that social
risks are adequately understood and addressed through mitigation
 The budgeting process for any of the NEC initiatives must also include a budget for
resettlement and compensation, as these costs can be quite significant
Land use and settlement  Institutions responsible for land use plans should ensure that they contain measures
pattern relating to infrastructure provision that are robust and fit for purpose, with a focus on the
poorest and most vulnerable communities
 Avoidance of conservation areas, national parks, wetlands, protected areas
Urbanisation  Any physical and/or economic resettlement of communities should be subject to the
development of Resettlement Action Plans/ Livelihood Restoration Plans which should be
prepared in line with Kenyan regulations and international best practice as defined by the
World Bank or International Finance Corporation.
 Institutional strengthening and capacity building for agencies across the NEC who are
responsible for promoting and coordinating commercial developments to ensure that social
risks are adequately understood and addressed through mitigation
 Regional and/or County Integrated Development Plans (CIDP) to plan for such
urbanisation
Land tenure  Formulation and implementation of a land title management project to establish a land title
database with cadastral map information.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

XXVI
Recommendations

Recommended Alternative

The Multi-Core with Regional Industrial Development Type alternative

aims at balanced growth and efficient logistics in the NEC region by
promoting urban functions of 18 Secondary Cites, including 6
Secondary cum Regional Production Centres (see Figure 0.3).

This alternative promotes:

 decentralizing urban functions to Secondary Cities,
 the urbanization of Secondary Cities and the concentration of
population on them from surrounding regions,
 regional production centres, as demand for commercial and
services in urban area (which results from surrounding regional
area) will promote the demand of Secondary Cities.

These Secondary Cities will serve as regional urban centres supplying

urban services and logistics hub connecting Regional Production
Centres and Primary Cities as consumption areas. In this alternative,
the involvement of local Government is also essential.

It is important to note however, this structure plan requires more public

engagement and management capacity for urban management and
development control to avoid unnecessary development.

This is the preferred alternative because it is consistent with Vision

2030, the MoTI Strategic Plan and the goals of the Master Plan, which
are to improve logistics for the NEC as well as provide an integrated
regional development strategy consistent with sub-regional
development plans and national development plans.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

XXVII
Figure 0.3 Alternative C: Multi-Core with Regional Industrial Development Type

Source: JST, 2016

Subsequent ESIA for NEC Projects

JST has proposed 119 projects for the development of the NEC in both
Kenya and Uganda the following sectors:

 road
 railway
 border posts
 port, airport, and inland way
 logistic hub
 oil and mining
 agriculture and fishery
 manufacturing
 power
 water

It is recommended that these projects be subjected to Environmental

and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) in order to:

 identify all potentially project-specific significant adverse

environmental and social impacts of the project and recommend
measures for mitigation;

 gather baseline data to inform the assessment of impacts and to

monitor changes to the environment as a result of each of the
projects as well as evaluate the success of the mitigation measures
implemented; and

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

XXVIII
 recommend measures to be used to avoid or reduce the anticipated
negative impacts and enhance the positive impacts.

For each project the ESIA should be carried out in line with Kenyan
regulations as well as international best practice as defined by the
World Bank or International Finance Corporation (IFC).

The ESIA reports should also consider environmental impacts and also
include the following socio-economic impacts, where possible:
 cultural heritage,
 loss of livelihoods,
 health, and
 rural – urban migration

It is also recommended that any physical and/or economic resettlement

of communities should be subject to the development of Resettlement
Action Plans/ Livelihood Restoration Plans which should be prepared
in line with Kenyan regulations and international best practice as
defined by the World Bank or International Finance Corporation

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

XXIX
 CONTENTS

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY I

1 INTRODUCTION 1-1

1.1 OVERVIEW 1-1

1.2 THE NORTHERN ECONOMIC CORRIDOR 1-1
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE MASTER PLAN STUDY 1-2
1.4 PPP OWNER 1-2
1.5 DECISION TO UNDERTAKE THE SEA 1-2
1.6 OBJECTIVES OF THE SEA 1-3
1.7 MASTER PLAN STUDY TEAM 1-4
1.8 SEA CONSULTANTS 1-5
1.9 REPORT STRUCTURE 1-7

2 DESCRIPTION OF THE NEC 2-1

2.1 BOTTLENECKS TO EFFICIENT CARGO TRANSPORTATION 2-1

2.1.1 Road Congestion 2-1
2.1.2 Mombasa Port Operations 2-1
2.1.3 Cross Border Delays 2-1
2.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE NEC MASTER PLAN 2-2
2.3 TARGET AREAS 2-2
2.4 REGIONAL STRUCTURE PLAN 2-4
2.5 SECTOR DEVELOPMENT IN KENYA AND UGANDA 2-4
2.5.1 Industrial Development 2-4
2.5.2 Agriculture Development 2-5
2.5.3 Mining and Petroleum Sector Development 2-5
2.5.4 Manufacturing Sector Development 2-5
2.5.5 Tourism Sector Development 2-6
2.6 KEY GROWTH DRIVERS 2-7
2.7 TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT 2-9
2.7.1 Overview 2-9
2.7.2 Current and Future Gaps 2-9
2.7.3 Future Total Freight Forecasting 2-12
2.7.4 Future Traffic Forecasting 2-12
2.8 DEVELOPMENT SCENARIO FOR TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS INFRASTRUCTURE
DEVELOPMENT 2-13
2.8.1 Scenario Modelling 2-13
2.8.2 Transport Network Improvements 2-14
2.9 DEVELOPMENT VISION AND STRATEGIES 2-15
2.9.1 Regional Strategy: Linking Production Centres and Corridors 2-16
2.9.2 Industrial Strategy: Effective and Efficient Logistical System for Industry
and Trade 2-17
2.9.3 Major Suggested Projects for the Industrial Strategy 2-19
2.10 TRANSPORT STRATEGY: EFFICIENT AND INTEGRATED MULTI-MODAL
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM 2-23
2.10.1 Modal Shift from truck to railway and pipeline 2-23
2.10.2 Reduction of Bottlenecks of freight traffic and logistics 2-23
2.10.3 Enhancement of existing transport infrastructure 2-24
2.10.4 Major Suggested Projects for Transport Strategies 2-25
2.11 FINANCIAL STRATEGY 2-27
2.11.1 Financial Capacity in Kenya and Uganda 2-27
2.11.2 Diversifying Financial Sources 2-28
2.11.3 Expanding the revenue sources of the governments for cost recovery 2-28
2.12 ORGANISATIONAL AND POLICY STRATEGY 2-29
2.12.1 Regional Coordination for logistics improvement 2-29
2.12.2 Proposed Organisational Framework 2-29
2.13 OVERALL IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY 2-29

3 LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK 3-1

3.1 GENERAL OVERVIEW 3-1

3.2 PLANS, POLICIES AND PROGRAMS (PPPS) 3-1
3.3 LEGAL FRAMEWORK 3-11
3.3.1 East African Regional Legal Framework 3-11
3.3.2 National Legal Framework 3-15
3.4 INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK 3-22
3.4.1 National Institutions 3-22
3.4.2 Regional Institutions 3-28
3.4.3 International Institutions 3-30
3.5 INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS 3-30
3.5.1 The Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) Guidelines for
Environmental and Social Considerations, 2010 3-30
3.5.2 The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Guidelines and Reference Series for Applying Strategic Environmental
Assessment, 2006 3-30
3.6 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE MASTER PLAN WITH OTHER PPPS 3-31
3.6.1 Comparative Analysis of the Master Plan with other Polices 3-31
3.6.2 Comparative Analysis of the Master Plan with other Plans 3-35
3.6.3 Comparative Analysis of the Master Plan with other Programmes 3-54

4 METHODOLOGY AND APPROACH 4-1

4.1 SEA STUDY AREA 4-1

4.2 SCREENING 4-3
4.3 SCOPING 4-3
4.4 BASELINE DATA COLLECTION AND CONSTRAINTS MAPPING 4-4
4.4.1 Baseline Data Collection 4-4
4.4.2 Document Review 4-5
4.4.3 Stakeholder Consultation 4-5
4.4.4 Identifying Constraints and Opportunities 4-6
4.5 IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND MITIGATION 4-7
4.5.1 Assessing the Significance of Impacts 4-7
4.5.2 Determining the Significance of Cumulative Effects 4-11
4.5.3 Impact Mitigation 4-12
4.6 APPRAISING STRATEGIC ALTERNATIVES 4-12
4.7 REPORTING 4-16
4.7.1 Draft SEA Report 4-16
4.7.2 Validation Workshop 4-16
4.7.3 Final SEA Report 4-16
4.8 GAPS, UNCERTAINTIES AND LIMITATIONS TO THE SEA STUDY 4-16
4.8.1 Environmental Baseline Gaps and Uncertainties 4-16
4.8.2 Social Baseline Gaps and Uncertainties 4-17
4.8.3 Limitations 4-18

5 ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE 5-1

5.1 INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW 5-1

5.1.1 Master Plan Components and Layout 5-1
5.1.2 Methodology 5-2
5.1.3 Data Sources 5-3
5.2 GENERAL SETTING 5-4
5.3 PHYSICAL BASELINE 5-6
5.3.1 Climate and Air Quality 5-6
5.3.2 Topography 5-17
5.3.3 Geological Characterisations 5-20
5.3.4 Hydrology and Hydrogeology 5-26
5.3.5 Oceanography 5-37
5.3.6 Natural Hazards 5-42
5.4 BIOLOGICAL BASELINE 5-54
5.4.1 Ecosystems and Agro-ecological Zones 5-55
5.4.2 Biodiversity 5-60
5.4.3 Land Cover 5-81
5.4.4 Sensitive and Designated Features 5-84
5.4.5 Anthropogenic Hazards 5-144

6 SOCIO-ECONOMIC BASELINE 6-1

6.1 INTRODUCTION 6-1

6.2 PEOPLE AND CULTURE 6-2
6.3 DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE 6-3
6.3.1 Population 6-3
6.3.2 Population Density 6-5
6.3.3 Rural to Urban Migration 6-7
6.4 EDUCATION PROFILE 6-8
6.5 HEALTH PROFILE 6-11
6.6 SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE 6-13
6.6.1 Water and Sanitation 6-13
6.6.2 Energy 6-15
6.6.3 Housing 6-15
6.7 TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE 6-16
6.7.1 Roads 6-16
6.7.2 Railway 6-17
6.7.3 Pipeline 6-20
6.7.4 Airports 6-21
6.7.5 Port Facilities 6-23
6.7.6 Inland Waterways 6-24
6.8 URBANISATION 6-25
6.9 LAND ISSUES 6-27
6.9.1 Land Use 6-27
6.9.2 Land Tenure 6-28
6.9.3 Land Values along the NEC 6-29
6.9.4 Settlement Patterns along the NEC 6-32
6.10 ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES 6-35
6.10.1 Agriculture 6-35
6.10.2 Livestock Production 6-37
6.10.3 Mining and Quarrying 6-37
6.10.4 Fishing 6-38
6.10.5 Industries/Manufacturing 6-40
6.10.6 Tourism 6-42
6.10.7 Employment 6-44
6.10.8 Unemployment 6-45
6.10.9 Gini Coefficient 6-45
6.10.10 Regional Integration and Preferential Trade Arrangements 6-46
6.10.11 Challenges to Kenya’s Economy 6-47
6.11 POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT 6-50
6.12 HERITAGE SITES AND MONUMENTS 6-51
6.12.1 Archaeological Sites 6-51
6.12.2 Historical Sites and Monuments 6-53

7 ALTERNATIVE POLICY, OPTIONS AND STRATEGIES 7-1

7.1 ALTERNATIVES 7-1

7.1.1 Alternative A: Super Double Core Type 7-1
7.1.2 Alternative B: Double Core with Regional Industrial Promotion Type 7-2
7.1.3 Alternative C: Multi-Core with Regional Industrial Development Type 7-3
7.1.4 Alternative D: No Go Alternative 7-5
7.2 ALTERNATIVE SCENARIO ANALYSIS 7-5
7.2.1 Overview 7-5
7.2.2 Economic Framework for the NEC and East Africa Community 7-6
7.2.3 Scenario Analysis 7-7

8 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT 8-1

8.1 OVERVIEW 8-1

8.2 OBJECTIVES OF STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT 8-1
8.3 STAKEHOLDER IDENTIFICATION AND MAPPING 8-2
8.3.1 Stakeholder Identification 8-2
8.3.2 Stakeholder Mapping 8-5
8.4 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT 8-7
8.4.1 Stakeholder Meetings 8-7
8.4.2 Baseline Phase Engagement 8-12
8.4.3 Website 8-18
8.5 OUTCOMES OF STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT DURING THE SEA PROCESS 8-18
8.5.1 Area Specific Concerns 8-18
8.5.2 Cross-Cutting Issues 8-20
8.6 SEA VALIDATION 8-24
8.6.1 Submission of Draft SEA Report and Advertisements in the Media 8-24
8.6.2 Validation Workshop 8-24

9 KEY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION STRATEGIES 9-1

9.1 INTRODUCTION 9-1
9.2 NEC MASTER PLAN 9-1
9.3 IMPACT PREDICTION 9-5
9.4 SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 9-5
9.5 HABITAT ALTERATION AND BIODIVERSITY IMPACTS 9-7
9.5.1 Summary of Applicable Constraints 9-7
9.5.2 Impact on Habitats 9-7
9.5.3 Impacts on Fauna and Avifauna 9-10
9.5.4 Summary of Impact on Habitats, Fauna and Avifauna 9-11
9.5.5 Transboundary Resources, Activities and Invasive Species 9-11
9.5.6 Mitigation Strategies 9-12
9.6 AIR EMISSIONS 9-12
9.6.1 Summary of Applicable Constraints 9-12
9.6.2 Air Pollutants 9-13
9.6.3 Greenhouse Gases 9-16
9.6.4 Mitigation Strategies 9-17
9.7 LANDSCAPE MODIFICATIONS 9-17
9.7.1 Summary of Applicable Constraints 9-17
9.7.2 Landscape Modification 9-18
9.7.3 Mitigation Strategies 9-19
9.8 IMPACTS ON SOILS 9-19
9.8.1 Summary of Applicable Constraints 9-19
9.8.2 Soil Erosion 9-19
9.8.3 Altering Soil Physical, Chemical and Biological Characteristics 9-20
9.8.4 Summary 9-21
9.8.5 Mitigation Strategies 9-21
9.9 IMPACTS ON HYDROLOGY AND HYDROGEOLOGY 9-21
9.9.1 Summary of Applicable Constraints 9-21
9.9.2 Overview 9-22
9.9.3 NEC Water Sector Projects 9-23
9.9.4 Interaction of Physical Infrastructure with Hydrological Regimes 9-23
9.9.5 Mitigation Strategies 9-24
9.10 RISK OF POLLUTION 9-25
9.10.1 Summary of Applicable Constraints 9-25
9.10.2 Pollution 9-25
9.10.3 Mitigation Strategies 9-31
9.11 NATURAL RESOURCE DEMAND 9-31
9.11.1 Summary of Applicable Constraints 9-31
9.11.2 Overview 9-32
9.11.3 Energy 9-32
9.11.4 Water 9-33
9.11.5 Materials and Goods 9-34
9.11.6 Mitigation Strategies 9-35
9.12 HEALTH AND SAFETY (H&S) RISKS 9-35
9.13 UNPLANNED EVENTS 9-44
9.13.1 Accidents 9-44
9.13.2 Spills 9-45
9.13.3 Fire 9-45
9.13.4 Electrocution 9-46
9.13.5 Product Safety Risk 9-46
9.13.6 Human Wildlife Conflict 9-46
9.14 NATURAL HAZARDS 9-47
9.14.1 Summary of Applicable Constraints 9-47
9.14.2 Floods 9-47
9.14.3 Dam Burst 9-47
9.14.4 Landslides 9-48
9.14.5 Mitigation Strategies 9-48
9.15 CLIMATE CHANGE 9-48
9.16 ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 9-49
9.17 CUMULATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 9-49
9.17.1 Overview 9-49
9.17.2 Cumulative Environmental Impacts 9-50

10 KEY SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES 10-1

10.1 INTRODUCTION 10-1

10.2 NEC MASTER PLAN 10-1
10.3 IMPACT PREDICTION 10-5
10.4 SUMMARY OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS 10-5
10.5 POSITIVE SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS 10-7
10.5.1 Logistics Improvements 10-7
10.5.2 Regional Development 10-9
10.5.3 Development of Growth Drivers 10-10
10.5.4 Capacity Development 10-11
10.5.5 Impacts on Employment 10-12
10.5.6 Impact on Procurement 10-14
10.5.7 Impact on the Economy 10-15
10.6 NEGATIVE SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS 10-19
10.6.1 Loss of Cultural Heritage 10-19
10.6.2 Impact on Livelihoods 10-20
10.6.3 Rural-Urban Migration 10-21
10.6.4 Public Health 10-22
10.6.5 Insecurity 10-23
10.6.6 Land Acquisition and Resentment 10-24
10.6.7 Land Use and Settlement Patterns 10-25
10.6.8 Urbanisation 10-26
10.7 CUMULATIVE SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS 10-27
10.7.1 Overview 10-27
10.7.2 Cumulative Socio-Economic Impacts 10-28

11 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK 11-1

11.1 INTRODUCTION 11-1

11.2 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK 11-1
11.3 ORGANISATIONAL AND POLICY STRATEGY 11-15
11.3.1 Regional Coordination for Logistics Improvement 11-15
11.3.2 Proposed Organisational Framework 11-15
11.3.3 Inter-Governmental Coordination (Local, Regional and National Level) 11-16

12 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 12-1

12.1 INTRODUCTION 12-1

12.2 CONCLUSION 12-1
12.2.1 Environmental and Social Sensitive Features 12-1
12.2.2 Key Impacts and Mitigation Measures 12-7
12.3 RECOMMENDATIONS 12-13
12.3.1 Recommended PPP Changes 12-13
12.3.2 Recommended Alternatives(s) 12-13
12.3.3 Subsequent Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for NEC Projects12-14
 LIST OF TABLES

Table 0.1 Location of Flagship NEC Projects in Kenya and Uganda vi

Table 0.2 Stakeholder Meetings at the Scoping Stage xiv
Table 0.3 Stakeholder Meetings at the SEA Study Stage xvi
Table 0.4 Summary of Comments Raised on the Draft SEA Report xvii
Table 0.5 Key Environmental and Social Impacts and Mitigation Measures xxii
Table 1.1 ERM SEA Team 1-6
Table 1.2 Structure of the SEA Report 1-7
Table 2.1 Categories of Kenya’s Manufacturing Growth Drivers 2-6
Table 2.2 Manufacturing sector in Uganda 2-6
Table 2.3 Candidates for Growth Drivers 2-8
Table 2.4 Location of Flagship NEC Projects in Kenya and Uganda 2-32
Table 3.1 Relevant PPPs 3-2
Table 3.2 Relevant East African Regional Legislation 3-12
Table 3.3 Relevant National Legislation 3-16
Table 3.4 National Institutions 3-23
Table 3.5 Analysis of Relevant Policies with the NEC Master Plan 3-32
Table 3.6 Analysis of Relevant Plans with the NEC Master Plan 3-36
Table 3.7 Analysis of Relevant Programmes with the NEC Master Plan 3-55
Table 4.1 Environmental Value (or Sensitivity) and Typical Descriptors 4-7
Table 4.2 Assessment Magnitude of Impact 4-8
Table 4.3 Assigning Significance Rankings 4-9
Table 4.4 Determining the Effects of Cumulative Impacts 4-11
Table 4.5 Types of Alternatives for which an Indicator is sensitive 4-14
Table 5.1 Intersected Counties (NEC Counties) 5-2
Table 5.2 Constraint Classification Criteria 5-3
Table 5.3 Volcanic Peaks in the NEC 5-24
Table 5.4 Summary Characteristics of Kenya's Drainage Basins 5-28
Table 5.5 Water Towers in the NEC 5-32
Table 5.6 Past Earthquakes in the NEC 5-44
Table 5.7 Historical Drought Events in Kenya 5-47
Table 5.8 Landslide Causes 5-48
Table 5.9 Priority Ecosystems and Areas of Environmental Significance in the NEC 5-56
Table 5.10 Marine Ecosystems in Kenya 5-59
Table 5.11 Common Floral Species in the NEC’s AEZs 5-68
Table 5.12 Documented Invasive Species in Kenya 5-75
Table 5.13 Commercially Exploitable Wildlife Species in Kenya 5-79
Table 5.14 National Parks in the NEC 5-91
Table 5.15 National Reserves in the NEC 5-97
Table 5.16 MPAs in the NEC 5-100
Table 5.17 Wildlife Sanctuaries in the NEC 5-102
Table 5.18 Forest Reserves in the NEC 5-104
Table 5.19 Characteristics of Wetlands in the NEC 5-119
Table 5.20 Trigger Species in the Intersected IBAs and EBAs 5-131
Table 5.21 AZEs in the NEC 5-133
Table 5.22 EAM KBAs and Corridors in the NEC 5-134
Table 5.23 Summary of Climate Change Risks and Impacts in Kenya 5-148
Table 6.1 Kenya's Population 1951-2010 6-4
Table 6.2 Kenya's Projected Population 2020-2050 6-4
Table 6.3 Percentage of Residents by Level of Education (in %) 6-10
Table 6.4 Percentage of Residents Using Improved and Unimproved Water Sources by
NEC County 6-14
Table 6.5 Percentage Energy Use for Cooking by NEC County 6-15
Table 6.6 Percentage of Residents in the NEC Counties by Roofing Materials 6-16
Table 6.7 Summary of Existing Pipeline Infrastructure 6-21
Table 6.8 Population within Urban Centres in the NEC 6-25
Table 6.9 Advantages and Disadvantages of Linear Settlement Patterns along the NEC6-32
Table 6.10 Advantages and Disadvantages of Clustered Settlement Patters along the NEC6-33
Table 6.11 Advantages and Disadvantages of Dispersed Settlement Patterns along the
NEC 6-34
Table 6.12 Crops Grown in the NEC Counties 6-36
Table 6.13 Livestock Production within the NEC 6-37
Table 6.14 Mining and Quarrying Activities in the NEC 6-38
Table 6.15 Industries and Manufacturing Enterprises in Urban Centres in the NEC 6-40
Table 6.16 Percentage of Residents Working for Pay by NEC County 6-44
Table 6.17 Gini Coefficient by County 6-46
Table 6.18 Important Archaeological Sites within the NEC 6-52
Table 6.19 Historical Sites and Monuments in the NEC 6-54
Table 7.1 Advantages and Disadvantages of the Super Double Core Type 7-2
Table 7.2 Advantages and Disadvantages of Alternative B 7-3
Table 7.3 Advantages and Disadvantages of Alternative C 7-4
Table 7.1 Future Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Projection in Kenya 2015-2020 7-7
Table 7.2 Scenario Analysis of the Multi-Core with Regional Industrial Development
Type 7-8
Table 8.1 List of Identified Stakeholders 8-4
Table 8.2 Approaches and Methods for Engaging Stakeholders 8-7
Table 8.3 Stakeholder Meetings at the Scoping Stage 8-9
Table 8.4 Stakeholder Meetings at the SEA Study Stage 8-11
Table 8.5 KII Discussion Topics 8-13
Table 8.6 Key Informant Interviews Schedule 8-16
Table 8.7 Summary of Cross Cutting Engagement Raised During the SEA 8-21
Table 8.8 Summary of Comments Raised on the Draft SEA Report 8-25
Table 9.1 Location of Flagship NEC Projects in Kenya and Uganda 9-3
Table 9.2 NEC MP Sectoral Distribution of Infrastructure Projects 9-5
Table 9.3 Environmental Impact Identification Matrix 9-6
Table 9.4 Potential Air Emissions from the NEC MP 9-13
Table 9.5 NEC MP Pollution Risk Factors 9-26
Table 9.6 Construction and Decommissioning H&S Hazards 9-36
Table 9.6 Industry Specific H&S Hazards 9-38
Table 9.7 Impact Significance Assessment 9-49
Table 9.9 Determining the Effects of Cumulative Impacts 9-50
Table 9.10 Cumulative Environmental Effects/Impacts 9-51
Table 10.1 Location of Flagship NEC Projects in Kenya and Uganda 10-3
Table 10.2 NEC MP Sectoral Distribution of Infrastructure Projects 10-5
Table 10.3 Socio-Economic Identification Matrix 10-6
Table 10.4 Summary of Estimated Reduction of Inland Transport Cost (per container)10-8
Table 10.5 Projection of Reduction of Inland Transport Cost and Production Cost 10-8
Table 10.5 Necessary Actions for Capacity Development 10-12
Table 10.6 Determining the Effects of Cumulative Impacts 10-28
Table 10.7 Cumulative Socio-Economic Impacts 10-29
Table 11.1 Environmental and Social Management Framework 11-2
Table 12.1 Summary of Environmental Constraints 12-2
Table 12.2 Summary of Social Constraints 12-4
Table 12.3 Key Environmental and Social Impacts and Mitigation Measures 12-8
 TABLE OF FIGURES

Figure 0.1 Proposed Five Strategies for the NEC III

Figure 0.2 Location of Flagship NEC Projects in Kenya and Uganda v
Figure 0.3 Alternative C: Multi-Core with Regional Industrial Development Type xxviii
Figure 1.1 Parallel SEA Process 1-4
Figure 2.1 Routes of the Northern Economic Corridor 2-3
Figure 2.3 Bottlenecks on the road in 2030 2-13
Figure 2.2 Proposed Five Strategies for the NEC 2-16
Figure 2.5 Proposal Spatial Structure Plan for the NEC 2-17
Figure 2.5 Location of the existing transport structures to be enhanced 2-24
Figure 2.6 Location of NEC Flagship Projects 2-31
Figure 4.1 NEC Master Plan Study Area 4-2
Figure 4.1 Arriving at the Significance of Effect Categories 4-10
Figure 5.1 ACZs of the NEC 5-9
Figure 5.2 Average Monthly Rainfall (mm) in the NEC Counties 5-10
Figure 5.3 Average Annual Rainfall (mm) in the NEC 5-11
Figure 5.4 Average Monthly Temperature in the NEC Counties 5-12
Figure 5.5 Emissions per Sector in Kenya 2010 5-13
Figure 5.6 Manufacturing Industries in the NEC Counties 5-14
Figure 5.7 MR E-W Elevation Profile along the Main Route of the NEC 5-18
Figure 5.8 Eldoret-Nadapal-Juba Sub-Route S-N Elevation Profile 5-19
Figure 5.9 NEC Elevation 5-19
Figure 5.10 Lithological Groups of the NEC 5-21
Figure 5.11 Soil Textures of the NEC 5-22
Figure 5.12 Volcanic Peaks in the NEC 5-24
Figure 5.13 Hydrological Features in the NEC 5-27
Figure 5.14 Permanent Rivers in the NEC Counties 5-31
Figure 5.15 Water Towers in the NEC 5-32
Figure 5.16 Groundwater Production Areas of Kenya 5-34
Figure 5.17 Boreholes in the NEC Counties 5-36
Figure 5.18 NEC Offshore Area 5-38
Figure 5.19 Northeast Monsoon Currents 5-40
Figure 5.20 Southeast Monsoon Currents 5-41
Figure 5.21 Monthly Average SSTs at Mombasa, Gazi and Kilifi 5-42
Figure 5.22 Earthquake Events in Kenya 1973-2016 5-44
Figure 5.23 Floodplains in the NEC 5-46
Figure 5.24 Tsunami Wave Heights along the Kenyan Coast 5-50
Figure 5.25 Factors Affecting Soil Productivity in Kenya 5-52
Figure 5.26 Soil Erosion Potential along the Main Route of the NEC 5-53
Figure 5.27 Ecosystems in Kenya 5-55
Figure 5.28 AEZs in the NEC Main Route 5-58
Figure 5.29 Mangroves, Corals and Sandy Beaches 5-60
Figure 5.30 Distribution of NEC Red List Mammals 5-62
Figure 5.31 Distribution of NEC Red List Reptiles 5-62
Figure 5.32 Distribution of NEC Red List Amphibians 5-63
Figure 5.33 Distribution of NEC Red List Birds 5-64
Figure 5.34 Distribution of NEC Red List Freshwater Fish 5-65
Figure 5.35 Distribution of NEC Red List Cetaceans 5-66
Figure 5.36 Distribution of NEC Red List Groupers 5-67
Figure 5.37 NEC Counties Distribution of Percentage Forest Cover 5-71
Figure 5.38 Forests, Forest Ranges and Mangrove Forests in the NEC 5-72
Figure 5.39 Value of Marine Fish Landings 2010-2014 5-80
Figure 5.40 Land Cover Distribution in the NEC 2012 5-82
Figure 5.41 NEC Land Cover 2012 5-83
Figure 5.42 Land Potential the NEC 5-84
Figure 5.43 Visitors to PAs in the NEC 2010-2014 (1) 5-87
Figure 5.44 Distribution of PAs in the NEC 5-88
Figure 5.45 PAs in the NEC 5-88
Figure 5.46 National Parks in the NEC 5-96
Figure 5.47 National Reserves in the NEC 5-99
Figure 5.48 MPAs in the NEC 5-101
Figure 5.49 Forest Reserves in the NEC 5-115
Figure 5.50 PCAs and CCAs in the NEC 5-116
Figure 5.51 Wetland Vegetation in Relation to Wetness Gradient 5-117
Figure 5.52 Wetlands in the NEC 5-118
Figure 5.53 Distribution of Water Surface Areas in the NEC Counties 5-124
Figure 5.54 Ramsar Sites in the NEC 5-126
Figure 5.55 WHSs in the NEC 5-128
Figure 5.56 Kenyan Section of the Mt Elgon MAB Reserve 5-129
Figure 5.57 IBAs and EBAs in the NEC 5-130
Figure 5.58 EAM KBAs and Corridors Intersected by the NEC 5-135
Figure 5.59 Distribution of Red List Corals 5-137
Figure 5.60 Sandy Beaches and Turtle Nesting Sites 5-139
Figure 5.61 Lake Victoria Catchment 5-140
Figure 5.62 Mt Elgon Protected Areas 5-141
Figure 5.63 Sio-Siteko Wetland 5-142
Figure 5.64 Indian Ocean PAs 5-143
Figure 5.65 Tsavo West and Mkomazi National Parks 5-144
Figure 6.1 NEC Counties within the Main Route 6-2
Figure 6.2 Population Density in the NEC Main Route 6-6
Figure 6.3 Rural and Urban Population in Kenya 6-7
Figure 6.4 Education Levels in Kenya 6-9
Figure 6.5 Education Levels in Kenya, 1970-2050 6-10
Figure 6.6 The SGR and MGR Lines 6-18
Figure 6.7 Inventory of Railway Line Operating Facilities 6-19
Figure 6.8 Pipeline Network 6-20
Figure 6.9 Location of Major Airports 6-22
Figure 6.10 Constraints - Airports 6-22
Figure 6.11 Proposed and Existing Facilities at the Port of Mombasa 6-24
Figure 6.12 Cities, Municipalities and Towns found along the NEC Main Route 6-26
Figure 6.13 Trends of urban growth in Kenya (1948-2009) 6-26
Figure 6.14 Land Use along the NEC Main Route 6-28
Figure 6.16 Land Values along the NEC 6-31
Figure 6.17 Linear settlement along the corridor in Nakuru 6-33
Figure 6.18 Dispersed settlements in Makueni County 6-35
Figure 7.1 Alternative A: Super Double Core Type 7-2
Figure 7.2 Alternative B: Double Core with Regional Industrial Promotion Type 7-3
Figure 7.3 Alternative C: Multi-Core with Regional Industrial Development Type 7-4
Figure 8.1 Stakeholder Mapping 8-6
Figure 9.1 The NEC Master Plan 9-2
Figure 9.2 Protected Areas in the NEC 9-7
Figure 9.3 Nairobi NP Neighbouring Settlements and Infrastructure 9-9
Figure 9.4 Lake Nakuru NP Neighbouring Settlements and Infrastructure 9-9
Figure 9.5 Right of Ways in Tsavo Conservation Area (Habitat Fragmentation) 9-10
Figure 9.6 Hydrological and Hydrogeological Constraints 9-22
Figure 9.8 Annual Electric Power Generation FY 2013/14 9-33
Figure 10.1 The NEC Master Plan 10-2
Figure.10.2 Proposed Regional Centres 10-9
Figure 10.3 Flow of Export-oriented Growth Drivers through Mombasa Port 10-11
Figure 10.4 Flow of Rice Products 10-11
Figure 11.1 Proposed Institutional Framework for Logistics Promotion and Multimodal
Transport 11-15
Figure 11.2 Proposed Organisational Structure 11-16
Figure 12.1 Alternative C: Multi-Core with Regional Industrial Development Type 12-14
LIST OF ANNEXURES

Annex A Communication with NEMA

Annex A1 NEMA SEA Scoping Report Submission Acknowledgement
Annex A2 NEMA SEA Scoping Report Approval
Annex A3 NEMA SEA Draft Report Submission Acknowledgement
Annex B ERM NEMA Certificate and 2017 Practicing Licence
Annex C NEC Proposed Project List
Annex D Environmental Baseline Constraints and Maps
Annex E Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP)
Annex E1 Stakeholder Database
Annex E2 Meeting Minutes and Signing in Sheets
Annex E3 Photos of the Consultations
Annex E4 PowerPoint Presentations
Annex E5 Letters of Invitation
Annex E6 Draft NEC SEA Report Advertisements in the Media
Annex E7 Comments on the Draft SEA Report
Annex E8 BID
Annex F List of Historical Sites and Monuments along the NEC
 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 OVERVIEW

The JICA Study Team (JST) on behalf of the Ministry of Transport and
Infrastructure (MoTI) appointed Environmental Resources Management
East Africa Limited (ERM) as independent environmental and social
consultants to undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
for the Master Plan on Logistics in the Northern Economic Corridor
hereafter referred to as “the Master Plan”.

This SEA is applicable for the entire Master Plan which covers both
Kenya and Uganda, and as such, this SEA will be provided in two
distinct parts; one document applicable for Kenya and one for Uganda.
Both SEA documents will have many commonalities, but each will
describe specifics separately for both Kenya and Uganda, and will be
submitted separately to the applicable authorities in both countries.

1.2 THE NORTHERN ECONOMIC CORRIDOR

The Northern Economic Corridor (NEC) is a multi-modal corridor,

consisting of road, rail, pipeline, and inland waterways transport, and is
recognized as a significant corridor for logistics in East Africa. The main
road network runs from Mombasa Sea Port through Kenya and
Uganda, to Rwanda and Burundi, and to the Democratic Republic of
Congo (DRC). The road network also links Kenya and Uganda to Juba
in South Soudan.

There are some obstacles presently in the NEC that include:

 inadequate infrastructure;
 poor connectivity of modes;
 long delays of cargo at the port and border posts; and
 lack of goods to transport for the return trip from the inland area to
Mombasa port.

These obstacles have led to an increase in transport costs and significant

time delays within the NEC and have hindered the economic
development of the region, specifically inland areas.

The Governments of Uganda and Kenya therefore requested the

Government of Japan (GoJ) to implement a project to formulate a
master plan on logistics in the NEC in order to promote regional
development. In response to these requests, the Japan International

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

1-1
 Cooperation Agency (JICA) dispatched a ‘Detail Design Formulation
Team for the Project’ in October and November 2014. The Team
proposed to develop a concept that would cover not only logistics, but
also regional development along the NEC. The Governments of Kenya
and Uganda agreed with the concept and signed the Record of
Discussion with JICA for the implementation of the Project for
Formulation of the Master Plan on Logistics in the Northern Economic
Corridor (the Master Plan).

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE MASTER PLAN STUDY

The objective is to formulate a Master Plan on Logistics for the NEC,

along with an integrated regional development strategy consistent with
sub-regional and national development plans. The target year of this
Master Plan is 2030.

1.4 PPP OWNER

The Plan Policy Program (PPP) Owner for the NEC in Kenya is the
Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure (MoTI). A key task of this
Ministry is to position Kenya as the logistics hub of the region by
creating a modern and efficient transport system for goods and services
within the Counties and also with other countries in the region (1) . The
Ministry has two Departments, namely the State Department of
Transport and the State Department of Infrastructure. This Master Plan
falls under the latter.

1.5 DECISION TO UNDERTAKE THE SEA

In order to decide whether an SEA was appropriate and relevant to the

development of the Master Plan, a Policy, Plan or Program (PPP) Brief
was submitted to the National Environment Management Authority
(NEMA) in June 2015 by the JST on behalf of the Ministry of Transport
and Infrastructure (MoTI) as the PPP Owner. The screening results
were thereafter communicated to MoTI, i.e., the decision to undertake
an SEA.

Thereafter, ERM was contracted as the SEA Expert and commenced

with a Scoping Study between October 2015 and February 2016 to
establish the focus and the content of the SEA, as well as the relevant
criteria for assessment. The objectives of the Scoping Study were to:

(1) Source: http://www.kenyans.co.ke/government/ministry-transport-infrastructure

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

1-2
  Determine whether significant environmental and social impacts are
likely to arise from implementing the Master Plan;
 Develop a Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) and provide a record
of comments and responses received from Stakeholders;
 Communicate the results of the SEA scoping process; and
 Facilitate an informed, transparent and accountable decision-
making process by the relevant authorities.

ERM submitted the SEA Scoping Report to NEMA on the 02nd March
2016 and the Report was thereafter approved by NEMA on 06th April
2016, Reference number NEMA/SEA/5/2/043, (see Annex A for the
correspondence with NEMA). The outcomes of this Scoping Report,
agreed to by NEMA, have been used in this SEA study.

1.6 OBJECTIVES OF THE SEA

The objective of the SEA is to identify the potentially significant

environmental and social issues relating to the Master Plan that will
need to be addressed as part of the SEA Study. The SEA will therefore
be conducted in order to:

 Ensure that the Master Plan is compatible with sustainable planning

and environmental management;
 Enhance the consistency of the Master Plan across different Policy,
Plan, or Program (PPP) sectors;
 Identify the potential environmental, socioeconomic and cultural
impacts of the Master Plan; and
 Support decision-making and incorporate emerging environmental
issues into sustainable development.

The SEA is being undertaken in parallel with the Master Plan

formulation process (see Figure 1.1). This way, environmental and social
considerations will be addressed in a proactive manner so as to better
inform the decision making processes.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

1-3
Figure 1.1 Parallel SEA Process

Master Plan Process SEA Process

Source: Partidário, 2007

1.7 MASTER PLAN STUDY TEAM

The JST, consisting of the following 16 experts, is currently undertaking

the Master Plan study in both Kenya and Uganda:

 Team Leader/ Development Planning;

 Logistics Plan;
 Infrastructure Development;
 Logistics Infrastructure 1;
 Logistics Infrastructure 2 (Railway);
 Freight Traffic Analysis and Demand Forecasting;
 Industrial Development and Investment Promotion;
 Public-Private Partnership;
 Mineral Resources and Energy;
 Power;
 Agriculture and Agri-Business;
 Urban Development/Land Use Specialist;

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

1-4
  Water;
 Economist (Socio Economic Analysis);
 Environmentalist (Social and Environmental Considerations); and
 Coordinator/Human Resource Development.

1.8 SEA CONSULTANTS

ERM East Africa Ltd. was appointed by JST to undertake the SEA for
the Master Plan. ERM (and specialists appointed by ERM during the
course of this SEA) have no financial ties to, nor are they a subsidiary,
legally or financially, of the JST.

ERM is a global environmental consulting organisation with over 150

offices in 40 countries employing more than 5,000 people. ERM, the
world’s leading sustainability consultancy, has operated throughout
Africa for over thirty-five years, and our Sub-Saharan Africa Business
Division with over 200 employees, is currently based in South Africa
(Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria), Mozambique
(Maputo) and East Africa (Nairobi).

ERM East Africa Ltd. is registered with NEMA as a Firm of EIA/Audit

Experts, Reg. No 7264 (see Annex B for the NEMA Certificate of
Registration and 2016 Practicing Licence). The SEA team is presented in
Table 1.1:

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

1-5
Table 1.1 ERM SEA Team

Position Name Qualifications

Partner in Charge Michael
M.Sc. Hydrology, B.Sc. (Hons)
(Mike)Hydrology and Soil Science, NEMA
Everett
Kenya Lead EIA/Audit Expert (Reg.
No 7263)
Project Manager Wanjiku MSc Environmental Assessment,
Githinji Auditing and Management Systems,
B.Sc. (Hons) Environmental Studies,
NEMA Kenya Lead EIA/Audit
Expert (Reg. no 1244)
Deputy Project Michael Master’s in Environmental Planning
Manager Waweru and Management (ongoing), BSc
Environmental Studies, NEBOSH
International General Certificate in
Occupational Health and Safety,
NEMA Kenya Associate EIA/Audit
Expert (Reg. no 2760)
Team Leader Haroub MSc in Energy Technology (MSc. ET),
Ahmed BSc Environmental Science, NEMA
Kenya Lead EIA/Audit Expert (Reg.
No. 1243)
Environmentalist Nato Simiyu MSc in Environmental Health
Engineering, Post-Graduate Diploma
in Environmental and Natural
Disaster Management, BSc in
Mathematics and Chemistry
Urban/Physical Geoffrey MA in Geography, MA in Planning,
Planner Njoroge BA in Geography
Sociologist/Stakeholder Philip M. Phil in Environmental Economics,
Engagement Lead Wandera BA (Hons) in Economics and Rural
Economics
Transport Planner Sylvia Njane Bachelor of Technology (Civil and
Structural Eng.)

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

1-6
 1.9 REPORT STRUCTURE

The Structure of this SEA Report is as follows:

Table 1.2 Structure of the SEA Report

Section Contents
Executive Summary Non-technical summary
Chapter 1 Contains a brief overview of the
Introduction Northern Economic Corridor, SEA,
purpose of the report, PPP owner,
Master Plan consultant, SEA
consultant and an outline of the report
structure.
Chapter 2 Includes a description of the proposed
Description of the NEC Master Plan
Chapter 3 Outlines the legislative and policy
Legal and Institutional Framework requirements applicable to the PPP
Chapter 4 Outlines the approach to the SEA and
Methodology and Approach summarises the process undertaken to
date.
Chapter 5 Describes the receiving environmental
Environmental Baseline baseline environment.
Chapter 6 Describes the receiving socio-
Socio-Economic Baseline economic baseline environment.
Chapter 7 Describes the alternatives that have
Alternatives been considered and the reasons for
the selection of the preferred
alternative
Chapter 8 Describes the approach to and
Stakeholder Engagement outcomes of the stakeholder
engagement process
Chapter 9 Describes and assesses the potential
Key Environmental Impacts physical and biological impacts
Chapter 10 Describes and assesses the potential
Key Socio-Economic Impacts social, cultural, economic and human
health impacts
Chapter 11 Specifies the mitigation and
Mitigation and Management management measures to be
undertaken
Chapter 12 Summarises the key findings of the
Conclusion and Recommendations SEA and provides recommendations
for the mitigation of potential impacts
and the management of the proposed
plan.

In addition the Report includes the following annexures:

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

1-7
Annex A: Communication with NEMA
Annex B: ERM NEMA Certificate of Registration and Practicing Licence
(2017)
Annex C: NEC Proposed Project List
Annex D: Environmental Baseline Constraints
Annex E: Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP)
Annex F: List of Historical Sites and Monuments along the NEC

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

1-8
 2 DESCRIPTION OF THE NEC

This Chapter provides an overview of the Northern Economic Corridor

(NEC) and Master Plan. The main source of information for this Chapter
is the Master Plan on Logistics in the Northern Economic Corridor -
Interim Report (2016) prepared by the JICA Study Team (JST).

2.1 BOTTLENECKS TO EFFICIENT CARGO TRANSPORTATION

According to the JST (2016), bottlenecks to efficient cargo

transportation, which have hindered the economic development of the
region, include:

2.1.1 Road Congestion

This occurs mainly around Mombasa, Nairobi, Nakuru, Eldoret,

Kisumu and Malaba in Kenya. The congestion around these points is
caused by both cargo and passenger traffic. According to the JST (2016),
while improvement of existing road networks and construction of new
ones have been aggressively implemented, road congestion still
remains a serious problem.

2.1.2 Mombasa Port Operations

Mombasa Port is the only international seaport on the NEC, and while
the Port has implemented projects with capacity expansion and
efficiency improvement, these developments have not matched the 10%
average annual growth rate in demand for import cargo registered in
the past five years (JST, 2016). As the container terminal construction
and cargo handling improvement cannot catch up with the rapid
increase in cargo demand, this translates to longer time at the Port.

In addition to the congestion of Mombasa port, Mombasa city is

characterised by inadequate road capacity and inappropriately sited
container freight stations. These factors make Mombasa to be the most
heavily congested section by trucks in the NEC (JST, 2016)

2.1.3 Cross Border Delays

One Stop Border Post (OSBP) projects have greatly contributed to

improved operational efficiency but it still a takes long time to cross the
borders. At the Malaba border located between Kenya and Uganda, for
example, queues of more than 3km are commonly witnessed during the

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

2-1
 daytime. In addition, custom clearance procedures are still inefficient
due to a lack of human capacity, electricity, internet communication,
inadequate parking lots, and access roads, amongst others

2.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE NEC MASTER PLAN

Based on the bottlenecks described in Section 2.1, the overall objective of

the Master Plan is to therefore to improve logistics for the NEC as well
as to provide an integrated regional development strategy consistent
with sub-regional and national development plans. It is hoped that this
will spur regional economic development within Kenya and Uganda.

2.3 TARGET AREAS

The target area of the Master Plan study covers the following routes
and surrounding areas (see Figure 2.1 below):

 Main route
o Mombasa – Nairobi – Tororo –Kampala – Katuna – Kigali
(Rwanda)

 Sub-routes
o Eldoret – Nadapal – Juba (South Sudan)
o Tororo – Gulu – Elegu – Juba
o Kampala – Gulu – Elegu – Juba
o Mbarara – Mpondwe – Kisangani (DRC)

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

2-2
Figure 2.1 Routes of the Northern Economic Corridor

Source: JST, 2016

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

2-3
2.4 REGIONAL STRUCTURE PLAN

The significant issues with regards to the current spatial structure

include an excess of imports and the concentration of functions on
the country’s capitals. The rate of import and export of East African
Community (EAC) countries are 92% and 8% respectively, meaning
that most of the income is outflowing to outside of the region.
The area within a 50 km radius o f N airobi and Kampala
accounts for 33% and 37% of the urban population in Kenya and
Uganda respectively. Nairobi for instance, generates 40-50% of the
GDP in Kenya, according to Kenya Vision 2030.

Three alternative spatial structures for the NEC were examined,

taking into account the following factors:

i) regional industrial development: promoting regional

industrial development;
ii) urban centers of the region: centralizing urban functions or
decentralizing; and
iii) Transport network: promoting regional linkage.

These alternatives are discussed separately in the Alternatives

Chapter of this report (Chapter 7). The preferred alternative for the
NEC, as concluded by the JST (2016) is described in this Chapter in
Section 2.9 below.

2.5 SECTOR DEVELOPMENT IN KENYA AND UGANDA

2.5.1 Industrial Development

Despite primary commodities production from both the agricultural

and mining sectors in Kenya and Uganda, value-addition within
both countries is limited. Some products consumed in the domestic
and/or regional market are processed; these products include
primarily dairy and meat products and cement production, based on
limestone deposits.

Kenya does have a relatively developed system of industries and a

connection to the export market through the Port of Mombasa, as
well as a relatively well facilitated air cargo network. The
connectivity advantage further gives Kenya opportunities for an
increased share in the domestic and regional markets. As such,
Kenya’s industrial development should expand the production not

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

2-4
 only of currently available products, but also of products which
can serve the multiple sectors across the region.

Uganda’s value addition activities are still at the infancy stage.

Manufacturing using imported materials does occur, and this
serves both the domestic and export market in the other corridor
countries, such as t he DRC and South Sudan.

2.5.2 Agriculture Development

With regards agricultural development in Kenya, the candidate

agricultural products selected as growth drivers for the Project
include tea, coffee, cut flowers, processed fruits and vegetables,
rice, and meat products.

With regards agricultural development in Uganda, the candidate

agricultural products selected as growth drivers for the Project
include coffee, oil seed, palm oil, rice, meat production, and maize.

These growth drivers were selected based on future demand from

the global, regional, and domestic markets.

2.5.3 Mining and Petroleum Sector Development

Coal, crude oil, natural gas, soda ash, niobium and rare earth
elements will be growth drivers for the mining and energy sectors in
the NEC region in Kenya.

Petroleum and crude oil will be growth drivers in the NEC region
for Uganda.

With regards to the expansion and extension of the regional oil

product pipeline, construction of an oil product pipeline in the East
African Community (EAC) member nations has been endorsed by
EAC member nations, and the project is considered to have t h e
potential to contribute to the economic development, as well as
energy security, in the region.

The pipeline system in Kenya will be extended further and tied

into Uganda’s system, and further extended to Kigali in Rwanda,
and/or Tanzania.

2.5.4 Manufacturing Sector Development

Growth drivers for Kenya’s and Uganda’s manufacturing sector

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

2-5
 are provided in Table 2.1 and Table 2.2 below:

Table 2.1 Categories of Kenya’s Manufacturing Growth Drivers

Category Timeframe for Examples of Industries

Development
Processing for domestic Short to mid-term Construction materials
and regional market (e.g., iron and steel,
glass), consumer goods
(e.g., soaps and
detergents, processed
foods), plastics
packaging

Note: It can be both heavy

and light industry.
Export-oriented light Short to mid-term Textile and apparel,
manufacturing Leather
Source: JST, 2016

Table 2.2 Manufacturing sector in Uganda

Industries Production and Income Increase

Construction materials (e.g., iron and The demand in domestic and regional
steel) markets will provide the income
through the industry.
Consumer goods (e.g., soaps and The demand in domestic and regional
detergents) markets will provide the income
through the industry.
Leather World market is growing.
Source: JST, 2016

2.5.5 Tourism Sector Development

Kenya Vision 2030 has identified tourism as one of the six priority
sectors. However, limited resources, poor infrastructure and
facilities i n a n d around the national parks, a n d security
co ncer ns have been cited as barriers for the sector’s development.
The development of cities as tourism hubs will generate additional
flow of goods and passengers along the NEC, and the Corridor will
also serve as a key infrastructure to tourist sites.

In Uganda, the total number of visitors has largely increased in

recent years, although the rate of increase in tourism numbers year-
on year has become slow and unstable. Six Tourism Development
Areas (TDAs) are designated according to the current major and

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

2-6
 potential destination locations. TDAs will be connected to each other
by air or by road, and the NEC will act as the necessary
infrastructure to ensure access to most of these TDAs, which will
serve to boost regional development.

2.6 KEY GROWTH DRIVERS

Key growth drivers considered in both Kenya and Uganda include

those which will:

i) expand domestic and regional, and international markets for

net profit;
ii) produce strategic products or industries which provide
significant solutions for industrial structure upgrading,
and
iii) Includes industries with strong forward and backward
linkages.

Growth drivers categorized for both Kenya and Uganda are

shown in Table 2.3 below.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

2-7
Table 2.3 Candidates for Growth Drivers

Source of Growth Kenya Uganda

i) Expanding  Soda Ash,  Coffee, Dairy
domestic Niobium and Rare Products,
and Earth Elements Consumer Goods
regional,  Coffee, Tea, Rice, , (e.g., soaps and
and Processed Fruits detergents),
internation and Vegetables, Leather Products,
al markets Meat Products Rice, Maize,
for net  Consumer Goods Construction
profit (soaps, cosmetics Materials (iron
and detergents), and steel), Meat
 Construction Products
Materials (cement,
iron and steel)

ii) Strategic  Crude Oil  Crude Oil

products or  Coal, Natural Gas  Petroleum
industries  Phosphate
which provide
significant
solutions for
industrial
structure
upgrading

iii) Industries  Cut Flowers  Oil Seeds

with strong  Apparel Industry  Other Minerals
forward and Leather Industry, (e.g., gold, iron
backward Packaging ore), wolfram, tin,
linkages tantalite, copper
etc) Palm Oil
iv) Other Services  Tourism, Logistics  Tourism, Logistics
Services Services
Total 20 Drivers 15 Drivers
Source: JST, 2016

The above 35 growth drivers have the potential for:

i) increasing exports to t h e East African region or

international markets,
ii) decreasing imports through t h e expansion of domestic
production, and
iii) Increasing the contribution to add value to the local
economy.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

2-8
2.7 TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

2.7.1 Overview

The current transport and logistics situation for the NEC is that the
movement of cargo is heavily influenced by road traffic congestion,
the operation of the Mombasa Port, and cross border operations.

For future operations, other important aspects such as how the

corridor interacts with both the central and Lamu Port Southern
Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridors, how to deal with
an increasing demand in logistics for minerals from Uganda, DRC
and South Sudan to the port of Mombasa, and how to develop local
industries and promote local products for export, needs to be
considered.

2.7.2 Current and Future Gaps

2.7.2.1 Roads in Kenya

Major bottlenecks for road traffic are witnessed in the city centers
of Mombasa, Nairobi, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kisumu and their
surrounding areas, as well as around the borders of Malaba (in
Kenya) and Busia (in Uganda), Mombasa Port and at railway
stations.

Currently very long queues of trucks and trailers of more than 2km
can be seen in both Mombasa urban areas and at Malaba’s border
area during the day.

Although the road surface on the main route is generally good,

heavy trucks cause a deterioration in the road surface over
relatively short periods of time. There is a need, therefore for
continuous improvement and maintenance of the road network, to
meet increasing traffic demand, for both safe and efficient logistics
and passenger transport.

2.7.2.2 Roads in Uganda

In Uganda, bottleneck points for road traffic can be seen in the city
centers of Kampala, Entebbe and Jinja. Passenger car demand is
greater than cargo truck demand. Therefore, such bottlenecks
should be dealt w i t h through an urban transport management
plan, rather than through cargo traffic management.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

2-9
Bottleneck points also exist at the Malaba border with Kenya, and
around the Inland Container Depots (ICDs) and railway cargo
station in Kampala. In order to unlock the bottlenecks, it will be
necessary to expand network capacity by construction of new
expressways, bypasses, ring roads, over/under passes, additional
climbing lanes and conducting traffic demand management.

2.7.2.3 Railways

Rift Valley Railways (RVR) has invested in infrastructure and

equipment but overall, it appears to have lost market share of
cargo transportation to trucking. Further strengthening of track
and infrastructure and additions to rolling stock should be
considered to enable RVR to increase its cargo share.

The project to implement a standard gauge railway (SGR) serving the

NEC has been commissioned, with the line between Mombasa and
Nairobi expected to be complete, and in operation, by June 2017.
The SGR project has as its objective, the provision of a world class
railway service along the NEC, and to increase its competitive
advantage by increasing its market share of cargo from trucking to
rail.

2.7.2.4 Port

Although dwell time and loading/unloading times in the

Mombasa Port have significantly reduced, it still takes too long to
import and export cargo, to clear customs and to move cargo out of
the port. Dwell time and loading/unloading times are the
dominant factors in the total travel time for cargo in and out of the
Mombasa port.

The roads within the Mombasa urban area are also heavily
congested, resulting in cargo traffic rendered immobile during the
day-time. The most fundamental problem is an inadequate road
network and the capacity of the trunk road, with an urgent need to
construct the Southern by-pass. Moreover, relocation of Container
Freight Station (CFSs) services outside the port should be considered
in the short term in order to avoid a concentration of cargo traffic on
the Mombasa Port road.

2.7.2.5 Waterways

Currently only one ferry is in operation and very few boats come
to Port Bell (in Uganda) from Kisumu port (in Kenya). Cargo
throughput at Port Bell in Uganda has rapidly declined since 2005,

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

2-10
with only 8,100 tons of cargo handled in Port Bell in 2014; this in
relation to the peak figure of 478,115 tons of cargo handled in 2002.

Strategic targeting of several cargos with potential demand for lake

transport as a form of transport should be considered. In this
regard, inter-regional trade or Expected Further Clearance (EFCs’)
trade with both Uganda and Tanzania, as well as international
trade, should be investigated. Kisumu and Port Bell should be well
linked with Mwanza port (in Tanzania), through an improvement
in infrastructure of wagon/car ferry ports, as well as through the
provision of new vessels, including car ferries and passenger
vessels.

2.7.2.6 Pipelines

Demand for petroleum products has increased significantly and a

further increase is forecast. In addition, transit oil products to
inland countries adjacent to Kenya, including Uganda, South
Sudan, the DRC, etc. are also increasing. The majority of these
transit oils are transported via Kenya’s pipeline system. In order to
meet the increasing demand, the capacity of the pipeline needs to
be expanded. Currently, Line 5 is under construction so as to
increase the capacity of the oil pipeline from Mombasa to Nairobi,
replacing the old (Line 1) system. The Line 3, from Sinendet to
Kisumu, will also be replaced with Line 6. Line 2 will also be
decommissioned at the time of upgrading of Line 4.

2.7.2.7 Border Posts

The most serious bottleneck is the east side border between

Kenyan and Uganda, especially at the Malaba border, where the
largest number and longest queues of heavy goods vehicles are
witnessed. Projected future bottlenecks are also expected to occur
on the DRC borders, such as the Mpondwe and Goli border posts,
where border infrastructure is insufficient, despite the fact that
future cargo demand will probably increase due to DRC’s
envisaged increases in mineral and timber export.

2.7.2.8 Inland Container Depots (ICDs)

Although the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) currently operates two

Inland Container Depots (ICDs), namely one in Nairobi (in
Embaski) and the other in Kisumu, their performance is relatively
low. The Embaski ICD for instance, has an annual handling capacity
of 180 000 Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit (TEU’s), but less than 10%
of this capacity is utilized. The Kisumu ICD has almost stopped

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

2-11
 operations due to the collapse of the railway service to Western
Kenya from 1994. The low performances of ICDs are due mainly to
poor railway performance, delays, unreliable service, and low
frequency of trains, amongst other factors.

Construction of the new Mukono ICD in Uganda was completed in

July 2015 and as such, all container cargo handling will be shifted
from the current Kampala railway terminal from the beginning of
2016. The location of the new Mukono ICD is strategically located
along the Kampala-Jinja highway, allowing for ease of access for
both the Kampala city and industrial areas.

2.7.3 Future Total Freight Forecasting

Total freight forecasting shows that total import freight

(tonnage/year) from the port of Mombasa is projected at 57 million
tons in 2030, growing 2.4 times from the 24 million tons of freight in
2015. Total export freight in 2030 is e s t i m a t e d a t 4,650 thousand
tons, growing 1.9 times from the 2,451 thousand tons in 2015.

From the forecast results, it is predicted that the SGR and MGR
railway share will become at least 50% between the Mombasa port
and those zones with main railway stations.

2.7.4 Future Traffic Forecasting

Figure 2.2 indicates shows the main bottlenecks on the

road by 2030, where:

 Maximum traffic for the cubic feet (CBFT) in 2030 is estimated at

21,000 pcu/day, on the section between Nairobi and Mombasa;
 In the future, total traffic will exceed 30,000 passenger car units
per day (pcu/day) between Nairobi and Nakuru, and around the
Kampala area.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

2-12
Figure 2.2 Bottlenecks on the road in 2030

Source: JST, 2016

2.8 DEVELOPMENT SCENARIO FOR TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

2.8.1 Scenario Modelling

Several scenarios emerge from the future demand

forecasting, which are described below:

 In the Base case in 2030, railway is forecasted to carry 20.4 million

tons of cargo per year, and will achieve a market share of 33%
between truck carrying cargo, railways and pipelines, for cargo at
the Mombasa port. If the pipeline is excluded, railway will
achieve a market share of 42%, with the truck cargo’s share at
58%.
 In the Optimistic case for 2030, railway is forecasted to carry 28.5
million tons per year, obtaining a 46% share amongst truck
carrying cargo, railways and pipelines for cargo at Mombasa port.
If the pipeline is excluded, the share is 59% for railways, whereas
truck carrying cargo’s share is 33%. The Optimistic case is as
highly effective case for controlling truck use, even though total
ton-kilometers by trucks will increase by 22%, from 19,809 million
ton kilometers to 24,283 million ton- kilometers.
 In the Pessimistic case for 2030, railways are forecasted to carry
9.2 million tons per year, obtaining a market share of 15%
amongst truck carrying cargo, railways and pipelines for cargo at

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

2-13
 Mombasa port. If the pipeline is excluded, the market share for
railways is 19%, whereas for truck carrying cargo it is 81%.

2.8.2 Transport Network Improvements

Based on these scenarios, the following improvement scenarios for

the NEC, to result in transport improvements, should be achieved:

 The NEC should be built as a Comprehensive Multimodal

Transport System consisting of road transport, railways,
airways, waterways and pipelines in order to effectively utilize
the existing and planned assets of infrastructure, to maximize
efficiencies and to provide for eco-friendly transport in the
future.

 A Modal shift from truck to rail and other modes of transport

is a key issue on the Northern Corridor in the near future.
Currently 95% of cargo from Mombasa port to EACs is reported
to be carried by truck. Railway is usually a cost-efficient mode
for long distance, heavy and large volumes of freight (such as
coal, cement, construction materials etc.) In future, railways (an
in particular, the SGR) should be used more for cargo transport.
Moreover, the pipeline should be promoted for oil transport;
and inland water transport on Lake Victoria should be revived
as an eco-friendly transport means, especially between Kenya,
Uganda and Tanzania.

 Improvement of the bottlenecks and safety on roads is

urgently required; particularly in Mombasa, Nairobi, Nakuru,
Eldoret, Kisumu, Kampala and their surrounding areas. There
is an increasing traffic demand, and bottlenecks of road traffic
around these areas is steadily worsening; it is therefore
necessary to expand the capacity of the road network through
road widening.

 Logistics hubs near the Mombasa port, railway and airport

cargo terminals, at the junction of major roads, at ICDs and
borders, and within industrial park developments (for
manufacturing, warehousing, fishery /agricultural/ timber
processing etc.) should be planned. Such development can be
referred as Cargo-Oriented Development (COD), and will
activate regional economic vitality, will create jobs and
effectively promote international trade. As a result, it would
lead to an improvement between the import and export of
cargo, and will decrease the number of unloaded trucks and
empty containers on the road back to the Mombasa port.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI
2-14
  Transit times for import must be improved through improved
customs procedures at both the Mombasa port and border
posts.

2.9 DEVELOPMENT VISION AND STRATEGIES

The development vision for the NEC is: ‘to be the leading economic
corridor with integrated transport and logistics systems in Africa’. The
Development Vision has four key words/phrases which make the
NEC distinct from other corridors, and these are:

 leading, to be the leading, most efficient and reliable in Africa

and the success can be applied to other corridors,
 integrated transportation system, which offers diversified and
multi-modal options (road, rail, waterway, and pipeline) and
facilitates regional integration in East Africa,
 integrated logistic hub, in which multi-modal options are
available, and industrial areas connected and promoted by
transport and logistic infrastructure,
 economic corridor, stimulate regional economic development in
the area surrounding the corridor through development of
transport infrastructure, logistic facilities and creating
industries (JST, 2016).

The proposed Development Vision will be attained through the

implementation of 5 strategies, namely regional, industrial, and
transport strategies, which will be strengthened by organizational
and policy strategy as illustrated in Figure 2.3 below and summarised
in the Sections below.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

2-15
Figure 2.3 Proposed Five Strategies for the NEC

Source: JST, 2016

2.9.1 Regional Strategy: Linking Production Centres and Corridors

2.9.1.1 Linking Agriculturally Productive Areas and Mineral Resources

through the Development of Secondary Cities

Major cities and economic activities have been developed along the
NEC, and it is essential to link potential agricultural productive
areas and mineral resources through feeder roads. In this regard,
the JST proposes, as a spatial structure of the NEC, the
development of multi-centers with regional development
(distributing urban functions with a regional industries system),
considering t he distribution of growth drivers. The spatial
structure plan has the following characteristics:

i) balanced growth and efficient logistics in the NEC region

through promoting urban functions of 12 “Secondary
Cities”, and
ii) secondary Cities that serve as regional urban centers, which
supply urban services and act as logistics hubs, which
connects Regional Production Centers and Primary Cities as
consumption areas.

The expected impact of this regional strategy is to realize

smooth movement of products and the balanced development of
the NEC region. This strategy is depicted in Figure 2.4 below.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

2-16
Figure 2.4 Proposal Spatial Structure Plan for the NEC

Source: JST, 2016

2.9.2 Industrial Strategy: Effective and Efficient Logistical System for

Industry and Trade

2.9.2.1 Promotion of Growth Drivers to increase export, reduce import

and develop the Local Economy

From an industrial development viewpoint within the NEC region,

35 growth drivers consisting of manufacturing, agriculture and
livestock, and energy and mining products etc. are nominated.
The JST deduced that growth drivers have the potential for:

i) increasing export to the East African region or the

international market,
ii) decreasing imports through the expansion of domestic
production, and
iii) contributing by adding value to the local economy.

Candidates for growth drivers are shown in Table 2.3

2.9.2.2 Connecting Industrial Areas To Logistics Hubs through Cargo

Orientated Development (COD)

Logistic hubs can be constructed at strategic locations such as at

SGR stations, strategic cities, key industrial areas, and so on. The
harmonization of such developments with industrial plans,
mineral resource developments, and agricultural developments is
key for transport and logistics planning. Such developments can

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

2-17
be referred to as Cargo-Oriented Developments (COD). The
expected impact of such CODs is to realize an efficient and reliable
logistics network for industry.

Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Mombasa, Naivasha, Eldoret,

and Kisumu), Industrial Parks (at Voi and Athi River) and Inland
Container Depots (ICDs) atKonza City) are planned to be
implemented along the NEC in Kenya.

Currently, ICDs are operational in Embakasi (Nairobi), Kisumu,

and Eldoret. SGR stations will be constructed in Mombasa,
Mariakani, Voi, Mtito Andei, Sultan Hamud, Athi River, Nairobi,
Longonot, Narok, Bomet, Sondu, Ahero, Kisumu, Yala, Mumias
and Malaba, and will be significant for transport and logistics
activities in future.

If a logistic hub’s catchment area is assumed to be 200km in

diameter, requiring approximately 3 hours of travel time, making
it possible to do a one days’ ro und -trip, it becomes lo g i ca l to
install logistic hubs in at least 3 locations (namely Nairobi,
Kisumu and Voi/Mombasa) in Kenya.

In Uganda, seven economic areas (Gulu, Moroto, Kabale,

Mohondwe, Kampala, Nakasongolaa, Hoima) and three trade
zones are proposed in the Vision 2040 document. In addition, the
Vision 2040 document identifies four regional cities (Gulu, Arua,
Mbale, and Mbarara) and f i v e strategic cities (Jinja, Moroto,
Fort Portal, Hoima, and Nakasongola). Cross border markets are
also proposed in five border cities (Nimule, Mpondwe, Kabale,
Busia, Bubulo) while ICDs are located in Mukono, Jinja, and
Tororo. Gulu will be a strategic and regional location for
transportation to South Sudan and Northern Uganda. Mbarara
can serve as a strategic location to link with mining areas and
border trade with both Rwanda and DRC. Pakwach can be a
strategic and regional location to link DRC and inland waterways
connecting to the oil and gas areas in Lake Albert. Soroto or
Tororo/Mbale can be a strategic location for mineral resource
transport from Moroto.

As in the case of Kenya, if the catchment area for the logistics

hub is 200km, it is l o g i c a l to install a logistic hub in at least four
locations (Kampala (Mukono), Tororo, Gulu, and Mbarara) in
Uganda.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

2-18
 2.9.2.3 Establishment of Logistics Hubs with ICD and Logistics Centre

A logistic hub is defined as a center or specific area designated

to deal with activities related to transportation, collection,
distribution, and storage of goods for national and international
transit, where traffic is exchanged across several modes of
transport.

A potential logistic hub could have multi-modal facilities such as

a n ICD that connects railway to road, inland water, and/or an
airport. In addition to multi-modal facilities, a logistic hub
provides a logistic center with facilities and services such as
warehousing, a distribution center, and a “one-stop shop”.
Logistics Hubs therefore connect roads and railways through an
ICD to domestic “door” delivery through a logistics center. Logistic
hubs with ICDs and logistics centers are designed to connect with
industrial parks, mineral resource areas, and agricultural zones in
order to facilitate economic activities and investment opportunities.

The expected impacts of such logistics hubs will be to:

i) establish effective linkages between rail and truck

modes,
ii) reduce empty container movement (by 7% in
Mombasa), and
iii) Expand local logistics service providers, based on
c l i e n t s ’ needs.

2.9.3 Major Suggested Projects for the Industrial Strategy

2.9.3.1 Agricultural Projects

The following projects are identified in both Kenya and Uganda

for agricultural and fishery development, and agribusiness
development.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

2-19
Kenya Uganda
1) Agricultural financing 1) Agricultural union
improvement commercialization support
2) Food processing hub development 2) Irrigation Scheme
program Development project in
3) Distribution improvement Central and Eastern Uganda
program of commercial crop 3) Fertilizer Promotion
4) Fertilizer promotion 4) Superior seed production
5) Specialty coffee export promotion enhancement projects for
6) Tea brand development small scale sesame farmers
7) Flower export promotion support
8) Value chain of livestock 5) Rice Production Promotion
development 6) Maize promotion support
Source:
9) Mwea JST, 2016
Irrigation 7) Specialty coffee export promotion
8) Livestock processed products
2.9.3.2 Industrial Development Projects promotion
9) Kalangala PPP
The following projects are identified in both Kenya and Uganda
for industrial development.

2.9.3.3 Kenya

The concept of Special Economic Zones (SEZ) is to

Special Economic provide quality infrastructure as well as a good
Zone business environment, together with fiscal incentives
Development within designated areas. The locations include Dongo
Kundu SEZ, Naivasha Industrial Park, Athi River
Industrial Park, Machacos-Kajiado Leather Industrial
Park, and Konza Tech City.

The project is to assist local packaging industries to be

Packaging able to supply quality packaging materials with
industry functions such as keeping stability of processed foods
development for or with aesthetic appearance. The project can comprise
food-processing training for packing industries, research and
development institutions, and agro-processing operators.

Source: JST, 2016

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

2-20
2.9.3.4 Uganda

The project concept is to ease access to land with good

Industrial Park infrastructure and business environment. The locations
Development include Bweyogerere Industrial Park in the suburbs of
Kampala, Mbarara, Masaka, Mbare, Sorcti, Gulu, and
Kasese.

Building The project is to establish standard, quality and

capacity of metrology infrastructure In addition, the institutional
Standard, capacities with involvement of private sector in the area
Metrology, of standard, quality and metrology should be developed.
Quality
Infrastructure
Leather The project is to upgrade the leather industry from two
Industry aspects: improvement of the level of the processing to a
Infrastructu higher level than wet-blue and valued raw material of
re quality final products; and establishing the functions for
Upgrading manufacturing final goods as shoes.

Marketing hubs While frontier markets such as DRC and South Sudan are
for DRC and with potential, the conditions of infrastructure and
South Sudan business environment should be improved through the
project to extensively explore the market with actual
physical presence in such countries.

Source: JST, 2016

2.9.3.5 Mining and Oil Development Projects in Kenya and Uganda

The following projects are identified in both Kenya and Uganda

for mining development.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

2-21
2.9.3.6 Kenya

Name of Project Outline

Construction of a railway branch line from the main rail

Coal line to the coal mines in Kitui is a priority infrastructure
Transportation project. The feasibility study on the coal transportation
Infrastructure system including coal terminals should be carried out.

Kenya has operated an oil product pipeline from Mombasa

Expansion/ to Nairobi since 1978, and it was further extended to
Extension of Oil Eldoret and Kisumu. Due to rapid growth of imported oil
Product product, the replacement and expansion as well as
Pipeline additional pipelines should be carried out.

Source: JST, 2016

2.9.3.7 Uganda

Name of Project Outline

Refinery and Oil Refinery Project consists of refining facilities and oil
Product Tailing product shipping pipeline from the refinery to an oil
Pipeline product terminal near Kampala. Project entity will be
Construction founded through a PPP scheme.

With the economic development of these land locked

Cross Border countries, demand of product oils has increased
Product Oil significantly and road traffic is started to be over loaded.
Pipeline To mitigate the road traffic situation, and to enhance the
traffic safety, extension of the pipeline to Kampala, and to
Kigali will be constructed.

The Project objective is to maximize the value of mineral

Mining Master resources and boost initial part of the economic
Plan development of the country. The master plan include: i)
Mineral Strategy , ii) List of Strategic Minerals and Target
area, iii) Development of Strategic Mineral Mapping and
Database, vi) Mineral Identification Capability, etc.

Source: JST, 2016

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

2-22
 2.9.3.8 Logistics Hub Projects

Logistic Hubs should be constructed at Mombasa, Nairobi,

Kisumu, Tororo, Kampala, Gulu, and Mbarara.

Most of the logistics hubs have two common functions, namely:

i) ICD function for modal shift and empty container depot

service as far as SGR extension is expected, and
ii) Logistics center function, which focuses on inventory and
delivery service whose catchment area is set up at
approximately a 200km radius, in order to achieve one-day
delivery.

2.10 TRANSPORT STRATEGY: EFFICIENT AND INTEGRATED MULTI-MODAL

TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

2.10.1 Modal Shift from truck to railway and pipeline

In both Kenya and Uganda, around 95% of cargo freight is

transported by trucks, while other transport modes such as
railways and inland waterways, contribute less than 5% of total
freight. Currently, trucks carry all types of goods from bulk
cargo, mineral resources and liquid fuels. I t is more efficient to
transport large amounts of heavy freight such as coal, cement, and
construction materials over long distances by railway. As such,
railways should be used more for cargo transport through the SGR
project, as opposed through rail. According to the result of
preliminary freight traffic demand forecasting, the transit cost by
SGR is almost 50% of a truck’s transit cost, and total railway
demand of MGR and SGR can be nearly 40% of all freight tonnage
via Mombasa port. This means that the service level of SGR,
including the cargo transport charge, is a key success factor in
order to realize a modal shift from truck to rail.

Furthermore, the GoK plans to replace old pipelines and establish

new ones with an expanded capacity to meet increasing demand
for petroleum products in future. It is, therefore important that
the pipeline should be constructed and operated as planned.

2.10.2 Reduction of Bottlenecks of freight traffic and logistics

Based on the Origin and Destination survey, together with the traffic
survey for cross border traffic on the roads, bottlenecks caused by

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

2-23
 cargo traffic are identified, particularly in sections around Mombasa
port and the Malaba border.

2.10.3 Enhancement of existing transport infrastructure

In addition to roads and the new SGR, existing transport structures

such as the MGR, the Mombasa port, Lake Victoria waterway, and
international airports should be enhanced. Promotion of these
modes of transport can contribute to the improvement of logistics
along the NEC. The expected impact is to realize a multi modal
system, covering sea port, air, existing rail, and waterways for t h e
NEC in addition to truck, new rail and pipelines. The location of
the existing transport structures to be enhanced is illustrated in
Figure 2.5 below.

Figure 2.5 Location of the existing transport structures to be enhanced

Source: JST, 2016

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

2-24
2.10.4 Major Suggested Projects for Transport Strategies

2.10.4.1 Roads

Logistics Highway Project

The main route of the NEC from Mombasa, Nairobi, Kampala, Kigali
and Bujumbura should have at least a dual carriageway. This is due
to the fact that most sections of this route will require four lane
capacity, at least up to 2030. A double carriageway with a median
strip is much safer than a single carriageway without a median strip.

Truck Service Stations Project:

Truck Service Stations should be established which must be large

enough to accommodate at least 100 trucks, as more than 100 heavy
goods vehicles heading in one direction are currently witnessed
during the daytime on many sections of the NEC. In addition,
sufficient accommodation, open 24 hours a day, should be
provided for long distance drivers. T raffic restriction information
should also be provided to drivers before selecting a border to
pass.

2.10.4.2 Railways

The Base case railway strategy has several elements:

Short term:
Determine an operating format for the Mombasa-Nairobi SGR:

 Implement SGR from Nairobi to Malaba and Malaba to Kampala.

 Involve the private sector in railway investments such as in
ICDs or terminals or smaller initiatives, such as leasing rail
wagons and locomotives to the railways and shippers.

Medium term:
 Implement SGR to Gulu, Pakwach and Nimule.
 Implement ICDs and railway yards and obtain operators.
 Develop a plan for meter gauge and standard gauge side-by-side
operations.
 Use policies and regulations to support the shift of cargo from
road to rail.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

2-25
Long term:
 Invest in and maintain the standard gauge railway.

It is expected that Kenya and Uganda will retain ownership of the

SGR infrastructure and contract operations to a private company.
The two countries should closely monitor the condition of the
railway and ensure that sufficient time and expenditure is devoted
to maintenance.

2.10.4.3 Port

The Mombasa port is expected to be one of the hub ports in the

world in the long term, and will need to be able to handle more
than 3 million TEUs per year. The following projects should be
completed in the short to medium term in order to at least
accommodate such volumes:

 Construction of Second Container Terminal (depth: 15m and 11m;

2xberths);
 Construction of an access road (approx. 1.6km);
 Dredging works (dredging volume: approx. 3 million cubic
meters);
 Construction of a new SGR linking Mombasa with Nairobi,
Kampala and other hinterland destinations; and
 Construction of a southern by-pass for Mombasa linking the
south to north coasts.

2.10.4.4 Airport

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) is improving capacity

to deal with increasing passenger and cargo demand through an
on-going project. JKIA already has 5 cargo terminals which are
privatized. Air carriers can choose cargo terminals depending on
the service standard and cost performance. The service
improvement will be a key factor to becoming an Air-Air Cargo
Hub in the region.

The Eldoret International Airport runway and cargo handling

facilities will be expanded to start export of fresh agricultural
produce. This runway will be extended to 4.3km, from its present
length of 3.5km.

The Entebbe International Airport will improve its air cargo

facilities. Considering the current (good) JKIA performance, the
Entebbe International Airport should adopt a fresh strategy, such as
an air and truck services with good cross border facilitation, to for

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

2-26
 example, facilitate the cross border movement of higher value
goods into the DRC.

2.10.4.5 Waterways

From a cargo and tourist transport point of view, several

alternatives for Lake Victoria waterways should be examined.
Currently, the rehabilitation of Port Bell in Uganda is being
supported by the World Bank and EU, and is underway.

Development of Mwambani port in Tanga, Musoma Port and New

Kampala Port at Bukasa are also projects under consideration. The
Bukasa Port development project, as the new port, was proposed
in the past to realize better port functions, expand port-areas, and
to add not only wagon ferries but also roll-on/roll-off (RORO)
boats. Further review of the project should be considered.

2.10.4.6 Border Posts

Malaba border is the main border crossing for several countries and
therefore its congestion is a serious bottleneck for the whole of the
EAC region. In order to reduce the risks of congestion, the
following two interventions should be considered:

(i) Establishing multiple lanes

It is a common practice in the world to set up multiple lanes
at the border as they help in reducing congestion;

(ii) Designated lanes for specific commodities/transporters (fast

lanes).
Dedicated lanes (fast lanes) will be an incentive for Authorized
Economic Operators (AEO). A dedicated lane for petroleum
products will be beneficial for speeding up its border crossing,
also to be considered for other commodities.

2.11 FINANCIAL STRATEGY

2.11.1 Financial Capacity in Kenya and Uganda

2.11.1.1 Kenya

The Government of Kenya established a Railway Development

Fund, which collects 1.5% as Railway Development Levy (RDL) on
all imports. It is projected that the RDL will increase from Ksh 19.7
billion in 2013/14 to Ksh 32.3 billion in 2017/18. The RDL is to be

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

2-27
 used solely for the financing of the SGR.

The transport sector stands at 26% of the total capital expenditure, a

figure that will increase to 41% in 2015/16, mainly due to increased
expenditure in the railway sub-sector. The construction of the SGR
has been prioritized in the transport and logistic sectors over the
medium term, with the SGR section between Nairobi and Mombasa
expected to be complete by 2017. The road sector is also expected to
increase steadily by an annual average growth rate of 15%. The
expenditure pressure for the road sector remains strong, despite the
recent emphasis of a shift from truck to railway for freight cargo.
The expenditure for marine transport and air transport accounts for
2.2% and 3.4% of the total transport expenditure.

2.11.1.2 Uganda

The 2nd National Development Plan 2015/16-2019/20 adopted an

expenditure strategy focusing on infrastructure and human capital
development. The Works and Transport Sector received the largest
share in the Ugandan budget, from 18.2% to 23.4% of the budget
between 2015/16 and 2018/19 (2nd National Development Plan
2015/16-2019/20, Uganda).

The majority of the budget will be allocated to the road sector. In the
2015/2015 financial year, the Uganda National Road Authority
(UNRA) is expected to receive the largest share of the sector’s
budget (around 70%), followed by the Uganda Road Fund (Ush
428.1 billion) and the Kampala Capital City Authority (Ush 170
billion) in 2015/16. Of significance, a transport policy of shifting
away from truck to railway and inland waterways was not
elaborated in the NDP.

2.11.2 Diversifying Financial Sources

Currently, financing for infrastructure is largely limited to

government grants and external sources. It is therefore important
to diversify sources of funding, especially from the private sector to
more commercially oriented projects through a PPP arrangement
and by issuance of infrastructure bonds. To minimize transaction
costs and duplication, regional financing mechanisms can be sought
for regional projects.

2.11.3 Expanding the revenue sources of the governments for cost recovery

Related to the above, internally generated sources, or cost recovery

from users, are currently limited to road maintenance and airport
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI
2-28
 operations in the transport sector. Cost recovery from users
should be expanded to the extent possible, in order to respond to
increasing financing needs and for financial sustainability. The
largest financing needs for the NEC is the SGR investment in the
medium to long term, and a principle of cost recovery should be
analyzed to the extent possible for this investment.

2.12 ORGANISATIONAL AND POLICY STRATEGY

2.12.1 Regional Coordination for logistics improvement

The organizational and regulatory framework for logistics and

multi-modal transportation needs to be established at the regional
level. Regional coordination for planning and monitoring for the
NEC is so far being implemented by the Northern Corridor Transit
Transport Coordination Authority (NCTTCA). NCTTCA’s function
with coordination of ministries concerned for both Kenya and
Uganda should be maintained. On the other hand, regional
coordination mechanisms and private sector involvement are being
developed through the Northern Corridor Integration Projects
(NCIP).

2.12.2 Proposed Organisational Framework

Considering the current situation, some recommendations for

organizational framework as well as organizational structure are
proposed.

Once the Management Plan is approved and implementation

thereof has commenced, there must be a monitoring and evaluation
mechanism. It is essential therefore, under the initiative of MoTI /
Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) in Uganda, to establish a
taskforce covering various ministries/agencies in charge of
transport, finance, trade, industry, agriculture, mining, energy,
water etc. as well as private sector organizations and NCTTCA, to
monitor and evaluate the implementation of this Plan.

It is recommended that the working group and steering committee

should be maintained after the JICA study as a further monitoring
and implementation mechanism.

2.13 OVERALL IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY

Out of all the suggested 119 projects for the development of the

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

2-29
NEC (see Annex C for a detailed list of these projects and the
respective maps of their location), the JST has selected 23 flagship
projects that can contribute to continued logistics improvement
along the NEC, and to future economic development of each
country, as well as the region. The locations of the 23 NEC flagship
projects are shown in Figure 2.6 and Table 2.4 below:

The primary aim of these flagship projects is to:

• Solve future logistics bottlenecks along the NEC including at the

port, roads, and logistic hubs,
• Contribute to cross border infrastructure, such as pipelines and
transmission lines,
• Develop key industrial areas along the NEC,
• Ensure power and water supply to identified key industrial areas,
and
• Support agribusiness and mining business developments.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

2-30
Figure 2.6 Location of NEC Flagship Projects

Source: JST, 2016

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

2-31
Table 2.4 Location of Flagship NEC Projects in Kenya and Uganda

No. Sector Project Title

1 Mining Eldoret-Kampala-Kigali Oil Pipeline Project

2 Mining ICT Project in Northern Corridor

3 Road Logistics Highway Project

4 Logistics Logistic Hub Project

Northern Corridor Integration Backbone (Power Generation, Transmission and

5 Power
Interconnectivity)

6 Road Eldoret-Juba Highway Project

7 Port Mombasa Port Development Project

8 Urban Dev’t Project for Support of Re-organizing Logistics Facilities around Mombasa Port Area

9 Water Stony Athi Dam and Upper Athi Dam Project

10 Water Mwache Dam Project

11 Power Isinya-Nairobi East Transmission Line Project

12 Industry Geothermal Energy Based Regional Industrial Development in Rift Valley

13 Power Geothermal Project in Rift Valley

14 Power Mombasa Coal Power and Mariakani Substation Project

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

2-32
15 Power Dongo Kundu-Mariakani Transmission Project

16 Industry Mombasa Special Economic Zone Project

Project for Building Up Competitiveness of Construction Materials and Machinery

17 Industry
Industry in Kenya

18 Agriculture Agricultural Financing Improvement Project in Nairobi

19 Agriculture Value Chain of Agriculture Development Pilot Project in Kenya

20 Urban Dev’t Logistics Based Kisumu-Kakamega Metropolitan Area Development Project

21 Mining Study on Mining Master Plan in Uganda

Project for Building Up Competitiveness of Construction Materials and Machinery

22 Industry
Industry in Uganda

23 Agriculture Value Chain of Agriculture Development Pilot Project in Uganda

24 Power Kampala-North-Namungona-Mutundwe 132 kV Transmission Line Refurbishment

25 Urban Dev’t Great Kampala (including Jinja) Logistic Based Urban Development Project

26 Urban Dev’t Study on master Plan for Urban Transport Development for Regional cities

27 Industry SEZ Development Project in Kampala

Source: JST, 2016

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

2-33
 3 LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK

3.1 GENERAL OVERVIEW

This Chapter addresses the relevant legislative framework and related

PPP documents as well as the gap analysis.

3.2 PLANS, POLICIES AND PROGRAMS (PPPS)

Table 3.1 below lists the PPPs that are relevant to the Master Plan.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-1
Table 3.1 Relevant PPPs

PPPs Brief Description Relevance to the NEC Master Plan

Policies
Vision 2030 Long-term development blueprint for the Contribution to economic and social
country. It aims to transform Kenya into development along the NEC is among the
“a newly industrialized, middle-income key objectives of the Master Plan and this
country providing a high quality of life to is in tandem with Kenya’s transformation
all its citizens. theme of Vision 2030.
Regional Development Policy The policy revolves around four key The implementation of this Master Plan
pillars namely; the establishment of a will need to be consistent with the
sound institutional framework for provisions of this Policy in order to avoid
implementing the policy; the formulation conflicts with development in the various
of integrated regional plans; reforms in regions and counties.
the legal environment in order to create a
more cohesive framework for regional
development and a robust monitoring
framework that will develop and monitor
the achievement of key indicators
and milestones of regional development
Development and Management of the Management of the roads sub-sector for The NEC includes the development of
Roads Sub-Sector for Sustainable sustainable economic growth and being roads infrastructure and the Sessional
Economic Growth, Sessional Paper No 5 implemented by the Roads’ Authorities, Paper presents various policies for the
of 2006 specifically Kenya Rural Roads Authority roads sub-sector
(KeRRA), Kenya Urban Roads Authority
(KURA) and Kenya National Highways
Authority (KeNHA)

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-2
PPPs Brief Description Relevance to the NEC Master Plan
Integrated National Transport Policy, This Policy identifies a number of The document proposes measures aimed
2010 challenges inhibiting the transport sector at “Consolidation of Urban Public
from performing its facilitative role in Transport”, through encouraging a shift
respect of national and regional to high occupancy vehicles amongst other
economies. measures.

These measures will have to be

considered in the implementation of the
Master Plan.
National Land Policy, Sessional Paper No. The National Land Policy provides a The implementation of the Master Plan
3 of 2009 platform for addressing current issues will need to be consistent with the
such as access to land, land use planning, provisions of this Policy in order to avoid
restitution of historical injustices, conflicts. Among the issues that will have
environmental degradation, conflicts, to be addressed, are the modalities for the
unplanned proliferation of informal acquisition of land in order to
settlements, out-dated legal framework, accommodate activities prescribed by the
institutional framework and information Master Plan.
management.
The Agricultural Sector Development This is the overall national policy All guiding principles in this policy that
Strategy 2010-2020 document for the agricultural sector. The promotes sustainable development of the
strategy promotes sustainable food agricultural sector will be considered in
production and agroforestry. There are the development and implementation of
also broad implications for the forestry the Master Plan.
sector that are detailed in one of the six
sub-sectors of the agriculture sector
Environment and Sustainable This Policy aims to harmonize Activities associated with the
Development Policy, Sessional Paper No. environmental and developmental goals implementation of the Master Plan could
6 of 1999 for sustainability. It also provides give rise to both environmental and social
comprehensive guidelines and strategies impacts. Therefore the specific projects
for government action on the within the Master Plan should be
environment and development. developed in a sustainable manner.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-3
PPPs Brief Description Relevance to the NEC Master Plan
Wildlife Policy, Sessional Paper No. 3 of This Policy governs wildlife management The NEC traverses some protected areas
1975 in Kenya and its goal is "to optimize such as the Tsavo East and Tsavo West
returns from this resource, taking account National Parks. Potential impacts on these
of returns from other land use". The protected areas will need to be assessed
policy not only recognises economic and minimised.
benefits from tourism and consumptive
uses but also the intangible benefits that
include the aesthetic, cultural and
scientific gains that accrue from
conservation of habitats and the fauna
within them.
National Disaster Management Policy, This Policy establishes the guiding Both the SEA and Master Plan will
2009 principles and architecture for disaster address the risks of natural disasters to
management in Kenya by presenting the the various infrastructure projects.
institutional structures, roles,
responsibilities, authorities, and key
processes required to achieve a
coordinated, coherent, and consistent
approach.
Energy Policy, 2005 The Energy Policy seeks to ensure an The NEC is traversed by energy
adequate, quality, cost-effective and infrastructure that could be impacted by
affordable supply of energy to meet activities related to the Master Plan. Some
development needs, while protecting and infrastructure projects of the NEC will
conserving the environment, with a bias also require energy to power them.
towards the exploitation of green energy
Sessional Paper on Energy, 2004 The broad objective of the energy policy is The need and demand for energy is at the
to ensure adequate, quality, cost effective core of all three development strategies
and affordable supply of energy to meet being considered in the NEC Master Plan,
development needs, while protecting and being the key driver to economic growth
conserving the environment. being led by the Industrial Strategy.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-4
PPPs Brief Description Relevance to the NEC Master Plan
Draft Energy and Petroleum Policy, June The overall objective of the energy and Energy distribution as well as issues
2015 petroleum policy is to ensure affordable, regarding the Oil Pipeline along the NEC
competitive, sustainable and reliable will have to be mainstreamed into the
supply of energy to meet national and Master Plan
county development needs at least cost,
while protecting and conserving the
environment.

Similar to the Sessional Paper on Energy

(2004), this Policy aims at providing
guidelines to the provision and
distribution of quality energy services
within Kenya.
Gender Policy, 2011 This aims at ensuring inclusion of gender Gender concerns will have to be
related issues in all government PPP to mainstreamed into the Master Plan
ensure that the needs and interests of each
gender are addressed.
Integrated National Transport Policy, This aim of the Transport Policy is to The Policy identifies the need for the
2009 develop, operate and maintain an integration of the different modes of
efficient, cost effective, safe, secure and transport, which is critical for the NEC, a
integrated transport system that links the multi-modal transport corridor.
transport policy with other sectoral
policies, in order to achieve national and
international development objectives in a
socially, economically and
environmentally sustainable manner

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-5
PPPs Brief Description Relevance to the NEC Master Plan
National Policy on Water Resources This Policy recognizes that water is one of The implementation of the Master Plan
Management and Development, Sessional the most important resources for human should conform to sound integrated
Paper No. 1 of 1999, survival and is guided by four specific water resource management practices.
policy as follows:
1) Preserve, conserve and protect
available water resources and allocate
it in a sustainable, rational, and
economic way.
2) Supply water of good quality in
sufficient quantities to meet the
various water needs, including
poverty alleviation, while ensuring
the safe disposal of wastewater and
environmental protection.
3) Establish an efficient and effective
institutional framework to achieve a
systematic development and
management of the water sector.
4) Develop a sound and sustainable
financing system for effective water
resources management, water supply
and sanitation development.
Kenya Health Policy 2014- 2030 The goal of the Kenya Health Policy 2014– The majority of the County’s population
2030 is attainment of the highest standard is currently along the NEC thus having an
of health in a manner responsive to the inclusive health strategy is key to the
needs of the Kenya population. This implementation of the Master Plan.
Policy stands on the principle of equitable
distribution of health services within the
Country.
Plans

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-6
PPPs Brief Description Relevance to the NEC Master Plan
Various County Integrated Development The CIDPs are development blueprints The NEC will pass through a number of
Plans (CIDPs) made by each of the 47 Counties in Kenya Counties and as such the Master Plan will
for the period between 2013 – 2017 need to be aligned to these CIDPs
Strategic Development and Investment The Plans guide development and The Master Plan will also need to be
Plans in various metropolitan regions investment in the respective regions aligned to the aims and objectives of these
(Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu-Kakamega, Plans
Nakuru-Eldoret, Wajir-Garissa-
Mandera,Kitui-Mwingi-Meru)
Second Mid-Term Plan (MTP), 2013-2017 This Plan is geared towards the Some of the aims of this Plan are to
implementation of Vision 2030 and Kenya deliver: accelerated and inclusive
is currently implementing the second economic growth, increased job creation
MTP, which outlines the policies, especially for youth, improved
programmes and projects which the manufacturing sector and more
Government intends to implement diversified exports, which are all related
between 2013 to 2017 to the NEC. As such the Master Plan will
need to be aligned to this MTP.
National Integrated Transport Master Its aim is ensuring that investment and The NEC Master Plan will need to align to
Plan location of transport infrastructure and National Integrated Transport Master
services are consistent with public Plan
policies while ensuring optimal transport
infrastructure investment to position
Kenya as a transport hub of the East and
Central African region. This Master Plan
is being implemented by KeNHA, KURA
and KeRRA
National Electricity Supply The Plan will identify new generation and The NEC is traversed by energy
Master Plan supply sources to ensure that the national infrastructure that could be impacted by
electricity supply dependable energy is activities related to the Master Plan. Some
tripled in the next ten years from the infrastructure projects of the NEC will
current 1,050MW (in 2008) to 3,000MW by also require energy to power them.
2018.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-7
PPPs Brief Description Relevance to the NEC Master Plan
Kenya ICT Master Plan 2014 - 2018 The purpose of this Master Plan is to The NEC will include the installation of
review and update the Connected Kenya fibre optic cables, which will need to be
Master Plan launched in February 2013 aligned to the National ICT Master Plan
with a view to extend stakeholders
participation
Kenya National Climate Change Action This comprehensive National Climate The Master Plan for the NEC will need to
Plan, 2013-2017 Change Action Plan (NCCAP) takes consider aspects of Climate Variability,
forward the implementation of Kenya’s Resilience and Vulnerability in
Climate Change Strategy. The NCCAP is agricultural sector development.
expected to inform national development
and policy decisions in all sectors of the Agriculture is the backbone of the Kenyan
economy. A wide range of actors economy directly contributing 24% of the
including Government agencies, private GDP valued at KSh342 billion in 2009 (1)
sector and civil society organizations will and another 27% indirectly, valued at
contribute to the implementation of the KSsh.385 billion.
NCCAP.
Programs
Rural Electrification Program (REP) A Rural Electrification Program financed The NEC is traversed by energy
to the tune of Kshs. 2.7 billion to cover infrastructure that could be impacted by
various parts of the Country. Upon activities related to the Master Plan. Some
completion the project will facilitate infrastructure projects of the NEC will
connection of power to 460 trading also require energy to power them.
centres and 110 secondary schools, among
other public amenities

(1) This is as analysed in the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. 2012. Economic Survey 2011. Nairobi: Government of Kenya.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-8
PPPs Brief Description Relevance to the NEC Master Plan
Energy Access Scale-up Program Through this Program, the government The NEC is traversed by energy
aims to connect one million households infrastructure that could be impacted by
with electricity over a five year period at activities related to the Master Plan. Some
an estimated cost of Kshs. 84 billion infrastructure projects of the NEC will
targeting major trading centres, also require energy to power them.
secondary and primary schools,
community water supply works and
health centres. Also two common user
LPG handling facilities will be
constructed in Mombasa and Nairobi
with capacities of 6,000 ton and 2,000 ton
respectively
The East African Marine Systems This is a submarine cable that will extend The NEC includes the installation of fibre
(TEAMS) from Mombasa to Fujairah in the UAE, optic cables
thus providing Kenya with an affordable
high-capacity bandwidth. The TEAMS
cable is connected to the Kenya national
fibre backbone network and other major
backhaul providers, thus extending the
gigabit submarine capacity to the rest of
the neighbouring East African countries
(Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania
and Ethiopia) through cross-border
connectivity arrangements
Government Common Core Network Is intended to function as a shared and The NEC will include the installation of
(GCCN) secure interoperable government-wide fibre optic cables,
ICT architecture. The system will not only
integrate work processes and information
flow, but will also improve inter-
ministerial sharing of databases and
exchange of information.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-9
PPPs Brief Description Relevance to the NEC Master Plan
Kenya Transparency This Program aims to ensure equity in the The NEC will include the installation of
Communication Infrastructure provision of ICT services. The Program fibre optic cables
Program (KTCIP) will incorporate establishment of digital
villages and bandwidth subsidies

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-10
3.3 LEGAL FRAMEWORK

3.3.1 East African Regional Legal Framework

Table 3.2 discusses the East Africa Regional Legislation that is relevant to the
Master Plan.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-11
Table 3.2 Relevant East African Regional Legislation

Regional Legislation Brief Description Relevance to the Master Plan

The Constitutive Act of the African This Act establishes the African Union to The NEC will need to consider the
Union, 2000 achieve several objectives, including: objective set by the African Union to
 Accelerate the political and socio- coordinate and harmonise policies (such
economic integration of the as the Master Plan) between existing and
continent. future regional communities (i.e. East
 Establish the necessary conditions African Communities) in order to attain
which enable the continent to play its the goal of accelerated harmonised
rightful role in the global economy political and socio economic integration.
and in international negotiations.
 Coordinate and harmonize the
policies between the existing and
future Regional Economic
Communities for the gradual
attainment of the objectives of the
Union.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-12
Regional Legislation Brief Description Relevance to the Master Plan
Treaty for the Common Market for This Treaty establishes the Common As noted above, the Treaty for Common
Eastern and Southern Africa, 1993; Market of the Eastern and Southern market for Eastern and Southern Africa
Regions of Africa. aims to harmonise regional economic
growth and increase regional trade and
The Treaty has the objective to attain industry. As such the NEC aims to create
sustainable growth and development of an enabling environment for foreign cross
the Member States by promoting a more border investments, industry and trade.
balanced and harmonious development of
its production and marketing structures.

In addition, the Treaty aims to co-operate

in the creation of an enabling
environment for foreign, cross border and
domestic investment including the joint
promotion of research and adaptation of
science and technology for development.
Treaty for the establishment of the East This treaty establishes the East African The NEC aims to increase efficient trade
African Community (EAC), 1999 Community (EAC). and industry between the three countries
within the EAC i.e. Rwanda, Uganda and
Kenya among others.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-13
Regional Legislation Brief Description Relevance to the Master Plan
Northern Corridor Transit and Transport In order to overcome transit transport The NEC aims to improve the transit and
Agreement, 1986 constraints affecting them, the transport constraints as identified in this
governments of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda report as well as the Master Plan for the
and Uganda decided to negotiate a treaty, Corridor. This should be done in line with
the Northern Corridor Transit the objectives under this Agreement,
Agreement, with a view to promoting an including:
efficient, cost-effective and reliable transit  Ensure freedom of transit among the
transport system. member states;
 Safeguard right to access to/from the
sea for landlocked countries;
 Develop and integrate the regional
transport facilities and services;
 Facilitate inter-state and transit trade.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-14
3.3.2 National Legal Framework

Table 3.3 discusses the National Legislation that is relevant to the Master Plan
in Kenya.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-15
Table 3.3 Relevant National Legislation

National Legislation Brief Description Relevance to the Master Plan

Kenya Constitution, 2010 This is the supreme law in the Country The Master Plan should be consistent
and it, among other things, establishes the with the sustainable development
right of every person to a clean and provisions enshrined in the Constitution.
healthy environment
Environmental Management and Establishes the appropriate legal and The environmental and social impacts of
Coordination Act, 1999 and Amendment institutional framework for the the proposed Master Plan will have to be
of 2015 (EMCA) management of the environment and for ascertained in order to inform any future
matters connected therewith and project-level EIAs that would come after
incidental thereto. It addresses itself the SEA.
primarily to Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA). Project level EIAs would need to take
cognisance of the outcomes of this SEA.
The Environmental (Impact Assessment These Regulations apply to all policies, The SEA will be undertaken to comply
and Audit) Regulations, 2003 plans, programmes, projects and activities with the requirements of these
specified in EMCA. They also recognise Regulations and will ensure that
as a measure of environmental environmental and social considerations
assessment at a strategic level. are integrated into the Master Plan.
National Guidelines for SEA in Kenya, These Guidelines are an outline of the The SEA will be undertaken to comply
2012 concept, principles, basic steps, expected with these Guidelines and will ensure that
outputs and outcomes of the SEA Process environmental and social considerations
are integrated into the Master Plan.
Land Act, 2015 Revises, consolidates and rationalises The Master Plan will have to consider the
land laws, to provide for the sustainable land tenure systems in the respective
administration and management of land Counties traversed by the NEC.
and land based resources, and for
connected purposes.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-16
National Legislation Brief Description Relevance to the Master Plan
National Land Commission Act, 2012 Makes provision as to the functions and The Master Plan will have to consider the
power of the National Land Commission, land tenure systems in the respective
qualification and procedures for Counties traversed by the NEC.
appointments to the Commission, and
gives effect to the objects and principles of
devolved government in land
management and administration
Land Registration Act, 2012 This is an Act of Parliament intended to The Master Plan will have to consider the
revise, consolidate and rationalise the land tenure systems in the respective
registration of titles to land, to give effect Counties traversed by the NEC.
to the principles and objects of devolved
government in land registration, and for
connected purposes.
Antiques and Monuments Act, Cap 215 These Acts been used for gazettement of All reasonable measures will need to be
and National Museums and Heritage Act, areas of historical importance, museums taken to ensure that the integrity of any
Cap 216, and threatened heritage as they protects historical monuments and objects of
the archaeological, historical and cultural archaeological, paleontological,
sites such as monuments, elements or ethnographical and traditional interest
structures of an archaeological nature, along the NEC are not affected by the
inscriptions and cave dwelling. implementation of the Master Plan.
Physical Planning Act, Cap 286 The Physical Planning Act is the main The NEC should confirm to the
statute that provides for the planning in requirements within the Physical
Kenya. It provides for the various types Planning Act and land use planning. Of
of plans, their contents and the special significance is the need to
procedures for the preparation of the undertake the plan through a
same. . participatory process that requires the
involvement of stakeholders in the
planning process
Kenya Roads Act No. 2 of 2007 Provides for the establishment of the The Roads Authorities are key
Roads Authorities Stakeholders in the SEA and development
of the Master Plan

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-17
National Legislation Brief Description Relevance to the Master Plan
The Energy Act, 2006 Deals with all matters relating to all forms The NEC is traversed by energy
of energy including the generation, infrastructure that could be impacted by
transmission, distribution, supply and use activities related to the Master Plan. Some
of electrical energy as well as the legal infrastructure projects of the NEC will
basis for establishing the systems also require energy to power them.
associated with these purposes
Forestry Services Act, 2005 The Act led to the establishment of Kenya The NEC traverses through forests and as
Forest Service which is charged with such, project planning will need to ensure
management of forests in consultation that disruption of the environment in
with the forest owners. The body enforces these areas is minimised and appropriate
the conditions and regulations pertaining mitigation measures are established and
to logging, charcoal making and other implemented.
forest utilisation activities.
Water Act, 2002 Provides for the management, The implementation of the Master Plan
conservation, use and control of water should conform to sound integrated
resources and for acquisition and water resource management practices.
regulation of rights to use water; to
provide for the regulation and
management of water supply and
sewerage services.
Public Health Act (Cap 242) This is an Act of Parliament to make The necessary public health safeguards
provision for securing and maintaining will have to be factored into the Master
health Plan.
Lake Victoria Transport Act, 2007 This Act grants the Lake Victoria Basin Lake Victoria is a transboundary shared
Commission (LVBC), the powers to resource and key economic zone, and
regulate maritime safety on Lake Victoria such, its efficient transport connectivity
water which entails; registration, licensing will have to be considered by the
and ascertaining the transportation Masterplan.
worthiness of lake vessels.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-18
National Legislation Brief Description Relevance to the Master Plan
Kenya Ports Authority’s Act (Cap 391) The Act establishes the Kenya Ports The implementation of the Master Plan
Authority, mandated to establish and should conform to the operation
operate the port services and facilities. guidelines as set under Part VII- Operation
of the Authority of this Act- such as
determination of the conditions upon
which goods shall be handled or stored at
the Port. The Master Plan for the NEC
should conform to the different tariffs,
rates and charges directed under this Act.
Kenya Export Processing Zone Act (Cap This Act establishes the Export Processing The NEC Master Plan should conform to
517) of 1990 Zone (EPZ) Authority, develops all regulation and requirements as set in the
aspects of the EPZs, regulates and Act. Planning and implementation of
administers approved activities within industrial activities under the Regional
the EPZs and protects Government Industrial Strategy should be in line with
revenues and foreign currency earnings the requirements set under this Act.
Industrial and Commercial Development This Act establishes the Industrial and The Master Plan Industrial Strategy
Corporation Act (Cap 445) Commercial Development Corporation, should conform to the guidelines set by
for the purposes of facilitating the the Industrial and Commercial
industrial and economic development of Development Corporation and engage the
Kenya institution in the implementation of the
Master Plan.
Civil Aviation Act No. 21 of 2013 This Act establishes the Kenya Civil The NEC Master Plan covers several
Aviation Authority (KCAA) with the aviation ports such as the Jomo Kenyatta
objective and purpose to economically International Airport (JKIA) among others
and efficiently plan, develop and manage that are managed under the Act. All
civil aviation, regulate and operate a safe functions of the Authority should be
civil aviation system in Kenya in considered by the Master Plan
accordance with the provisions of this Act development and implementation.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-19
National Legislation Brief Description Relevance to the Master Plan
The Kenya Railways Corporations Act This Act establishes the Kenya Railways The NEC Master Plan should consider all
(Cap 397) Corporation also known as Kenya agreements and established functions by
Railways (KR). The Act gives KR the the KR as well as expansion of railway
mandate to manage and own both transport led by the Corporation.
movable and immovable assets on behalf
of the Kenya Government. The Act also
allows KR to enter into an agreement/
concession to operate the railway
transport in the country.
Wildlife Conservation and Management This Act establishes the different It is important that the Master Plan
Act (2013) strategies to conserve and protect Kenya’s considers participatory approach to
Wildlife. In the Act, conservation implementing the different strategies in
measures and management principles are order to ensure sustainable development
guided by effective public participation along the NEC where several Wildlife
and ecosystem approach. Conservation regions are located-
including the Nairobi National Park and
Nakuru National Park among others that
are managed by the Kenya Wildlife
Service (KWS) - mandated by
Government under this act.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-20
National Legislation Brief Description Relevance to the Master Plan
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Authority This Act establishes an authority to be The necessary agricultural and fisheries
Act (2013) known as the Agriculture, Fisheries and industrial development strategies will
Food Authority. That is mandated to have to be factored into the Master Plan in
promote best practices in, and regulate, consultation with the Authority.
the production, processing, marketing,
grading, storage, collection,
transportation and warehousing of
agricultural and aquatic products
excluding livestock, livestock products as
may be provided for under the Crops Act,
and the Fisheries Act. The Authority is
also mandated to give advice the national
government and the county governments
on agricultural and aquatic levies for
purposes of planning, enhancing
harmony and equity in the sector.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-21
3.4 INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK

3.4.1 National Institutions

Table 3.4 discusses the National Legislation relevant to the Master Plan

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-22
Table 3.4 National Institutions

National Institutions Responsibility Relevance to the Master Plan

Government Ministries
Ministry of Transport and To position Kenya as the logistics hub of the PPP Owner
Infrastructure region by creating a modern and efficient
transport system for goods and services within
the Counties and also with other countries in the
region
Ministry of Lands, Housing and The Directorate of Land is charged with the The MoLHUD is responsible for, among
Urban Development (MoLHUD) responsibility of ensuring efficient administration others: lands policy management,
and sustainable management of the land resource physical planning , land transactions, land
in the country, while the Housing Directorate is adjudication, settlement matters, land
responsible for policy formulation, coordination registration, as well as land and property
and monitoring of programmes concerning all valuation services which is extremely
issues of urban development important in acquisition and resettlement
issues for the NEC, as well as urban
planning.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-23
National Institutions Responsibility Relevance to the Master Plan
The National Land Commission The National Land Commission: This Commission will be integral in the
 Manages public land on behalf of the national land acquisition and compensation
and county governments; processes as the entire procedure will be
 Advises the national government on a coordinated by it.
comprehensive programme for the
registration of land titles;
 Investigates present or historical land
injustices, and recommends appropriate
redress;
 Encourages the application of traditional
dispute resolution mechanisms in land
conflicts;
 Monitors/oversees land use planning
throughout the country;
 Ensures that public land/land under the
management of designated state agencies is
sustainably managed;
 Manages and administers all unregistered
trust land and unregistered community land
on behalf of the county government; and
 Develops and encourages alternative dispute
resolution mechanisms in land dispute
handling and management.
Ministry of Industrialization and This Ministry is formulating an industrialization The Master Plan will have to align with
Enterprise Development policy in line with vision 2030, and is the principles of Vision 2030 as well as the
instrumental in ensuring that Kenyan goods and County Governments
services find ready market in both national and
County Governments
Ministry of Information, This Ministry is responsible for policy The NEC will include the installation of
Communication and Technology formulation for the telecommunication, ICT which will need to be aligned to that
broadcasting and postal sectors. of the Ministry

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-24
National Institutions Responsibility Relevance to the Master Plan
Ministry of Interior and This Ministry is charged with the responsibility of Security is an extremely important aspect
Coordination of National public administration, internal security, printing that the Master Plan will have to address
Government of Government documents, Immigration and
Registration of Persons, Betting Control Probation
Services, Prison Services and championing
campaign against drug and substance abuse.
Ministry of Environment, Water This Ministry is responsible for policies and The Master Plan will have to align with
and Natural Resource programmes aimed at improving, maintaining, the policies and programs of this Ministry
protecting, conserving and managing the
Country’s natural resources (water, forestry,
wildlife and environment). It is also responsible
for ensuring access to clean, safe, adequate and
reliable water supply
Ministry of Devolution and This Ministry includes the Department of The Master Plan will have to align with
Planning Devolution as well as the Department of Planning the policies and programs of this
that national development planning and Ministry, with specific regard to the
economic policy management Department of Devolution
Government Institutions and Authorities
National Environment The responsibility of NEMA is to exercise general Regulation and licensing of the SEA
Management Authority (NEMA) supervision and co-ordination over all matters
relating to the environment and to be the
principal instrument of Government in the
implementation of all policies relating to the
environment.
Communications Commission of Regulation of the cyber optic infrastructure CCK will be responsible for cyber optic
Kenya (CCK) infrastructure under the NEC
Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Regulation of taxes on cargo, trade and business Responsible for taxation on cargo, trade
and business within the NEC
Kenya Civil Aviation Authority Regulation of air transportation Air transport is one of the multi modal
(KCAA) means of transport considered in the NEC
Masterplan

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-25
National Institutions Responsibility Relevance to the Master Plan
Kenya Maritime Authority A semi-autonomous agency in charge of The registration of any ships and vessels
regulatory oversight over the Kenyan maritime within the NEC
industry
Kenya Marine and Fisheries Undertake research in marine and freshwater The NEC Master Plan should be in
Research Institutes (KEMFRI) fisheries, aquaculture, environmental and consultation with the Institute in order to
ecological studies, and marine research includingprotect the any endangered species at the
chemical and physical oceanography Coast of Mombasa during
implementation of projects as part of the
Master Plan.
Kenya National Highways Development and maintenance of highways KeNHA will be responsible for the
Authority (KeNHA) construction, upgrading, rehabilitating
and maintaining of highways in the NEC
Kenya Urban Roads Authority Development and maintenance of the urban road KURA will be responsible for the
(KURA) network construction, upgrading, rehabilitating
and maintaining of urban roads in the
NEC
Kenya Rural Roads Authority Development and maintenance of the rural road KeRRA will be responsible for the
(KeRRA) network construction, upgrading, rehabilitating
and maintaining of the rural roads in the
NEC
National Transport and Safety Harmonize the operations of the key road All transport strategies should be
Authority (NTSA) transport departments and help in effectively informed by all guidelines under this
managing the road transport sub-sector and authority during the promotion of
minimizing loss of lives through road accidents. transport/ road safety along the NEC.
Kenya Railways (KR) KR is mandated to promote, facilitate and KR will be responsible for railway
participate in the National and Metropolitan development under the NEC
Railway development.
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Development of sea and inland ports and Responsible for the development of any
handling of cargo sea and inland ports within the NEC
Kenya Pipeline Corporation Development, use & maintenance of pipeline Responsible for the development of
(KPC) pipelines within the NEC

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-26
National Institutions Responsibility Relevance to the Master Plan
Water Resources Management WRMA is the lead agency in nationwide water Wetlands and water resources located
Authority (WRMA) resources management. along the NEC are protected If some
development works are planned to be
conducted inside of those wetlands or
water to be abstracted for use, a special
permit shall be obtained from WRMA.
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Protection and management of Wildlife in Kenya The Master Plan implementation should
be in consultation with the institution in
strategizing sustainable ways of
development along the NEC
Kenya Forest Services (KFS) Protection and management of Forests and KFS will be responsible for guiding the
Reserves in Kenya development within forests and reserves
under the NEC
LAPSSET Corridor development Policy implementation, operational coordination The NEC Master Plan development and
Authority and technical oversight organ for the LAPSSET implementation should coordinate and
Corridor Project corporate with the Authority to integrate
development strategies under the
respective plans.
County Government Responsible for county legislation as well as The NEC will traverse 29 counties
county development

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-27
3.4.2 Regional Institutions

3.4.2.1 East African Community

The East African Community (EAC) is the regional co-operation body

that comprises the Republic of Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda and
Uganda.
Under the EAC, a number of common transport and communications
programs and projects aiming at simplifying transport and
communications in the region are being developed.

Most of the constrains to cross-border trade and investment in the

region are considered to be related to the limited development of
transport and communications networks in the region and to
inadequacies in the rules and regulations governing trade, payments
and investment in different countries.

The EAC is also undertaking huge efforts to improve infrastructure in

the region, especially road and rail transport, the upgrading of ports
and the construction of new ports along the Indian Ocean coast which
is in line with the Record of Discussion signed between the GOU and
GoK with JICA for the implementation of the Master Plan.

3.4.2.2 Community of Eastern and Southern Africa

The Community of Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) is a

regional organisation, based in Lusaka, Zambia, which also undertakes
transport planning activities for an extensive area of Eastern and
Southern Africa. Under COMESA, transport corridors (of particular
relevance to Kenya is the NEC) are a key focus of trade facilitation in
the region and are viewed as a solution to the challenge of
fragmentation among countries in the region by providing the much
needed facilitation.

3.4.2.3 African Development Bank

The African Development Bank (AfDB) is a regional multilateral

development finance institution established to contribute to the
economic development and social progress of African countries that are
the institution’s Regional Member Countries (RMCs) (1)

(1) Source: http://www.afdb.org/en/about-us/frequently-asked-questions/

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-28
The African Development Bank Transport Forum (ATF) 2015 ended on
November 27, 2015, with the AfDB reiterating its support for transport
development to ensure economic growth on the Continent.

3.4.2.4 The Northern Corridor Transit Transport Coordination Authority

The Northern Corridor Transit Transport Coordination Authority

(NCTTCA) was created in the mid-1980s, following the signing of the
Northern Corridor Transit Agreement, by Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda
and Uganda. The Democratic Republic of Congo became a contracting
state of the NCTTCA in 1987 after ratifying the treaty.

The NCTTCA mandate is stipulated in the Transit Agreement and it

includes:

 Safeguarding the freedom of transit and right of access to and from

the sea for the landlocked countries;
 Ensuring implementation of and compliance with the provisions of
the Transit Agreement;
 Joint promotion and coordination of the development of regional
transport infrastructure;
 Reduction of transport costs through the removal of all customs
barriers in the corridor;
 Harmonisation of transit transport policies and technical standards
in order to facilitate operations along the corridor;
 Promotion of regional consensus on all matters relating to the
management of the corridor and which are of mutual benefit to the
member States; and
 Cooperation with other international organizations.

The mandate of NCTTCA rhymes with the project’s objective of

formulation of a Master Plan on Logistics for the NEC.

Trade and Markets East Africa Trade and Markets East Africa (Trade
Mark East Africa – TMEA) is an East African not-for profit Company
Limited by Guarantee established in 2010 to support the growth of
trade - both regional and international - in East Africa. Trade Mark East
Africa (TMEA) is focused on ensuring gains from trade result in
tangible gains for East Africans. The Masterplan will address
bottlenecks in the transport sector thereby reducing the cost of
transport thus improving the gains for East Africans in a way of
reduced prices of goods.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-29
 3.4.3 International Institutions

3.4.3.1 Japan International Cooperation Agency

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is a governmental

agency that coordinates Official Development Assistance (ODA) for the
Government of Japan. JICA aims to contribute to the promotion of
international development cooperation and addressing the global
agenda by supporting the socioeconomic development, recovery and
economic stability of developing countries. The Official Development
Assistance coordinated by JICA is broadly divided into bilateral aid, in
which assistance is given directly to developing countries, and
multilateral aid, provided through international organizations.

JICA is responsible for the implementation of the Project to formulate

the Master Plan.

3.5 INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS

3.5.1 The Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) Guidelines for

Environmental and Social Considerations, 2010

The objectives of these Guidelines are to encourage PPP owners to have

appropriate consideration for environmental and social impacts, as well
as to ensure that JICA’s support for and examination of environmental
and social considerations are conducted accordingly. The guidelines
outline JICA’s responsibilities and procedures, along with its
requirements for project proponents etc., in order to facilitate the
achievement of these objectives. In doing so, JICA endeavours to ensure
transparency, predictability, and accountability in its support for and
examination of environmental and social considerations.

The requirements in JICA’s guidelines were fulfilled by the SEA Study.

3.5.2 The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

(OECD) Guidelines and Reference Series for Applying Strategic
Environmental Assessment, 2006

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development is a

unique forum where the governments of 34 democracies with market
economies work with each other, as well as with more than 70 non-
member economies to promote economic growth, prosperity, and
sustainable development. The OECD Guidelines for Multinational
Enterprises are far reaching recommendations for responsible business
conduct that 44 adhering governments – representing all regions of the

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-30
 world and accounting for 85% of foreign direct investment – encourage
their enterprises to observe wherever they operate. The ultimate
objectives of the guidelines are to ensure that:

 Environmental considerations, and their linkages with social and

economic factors, are adequately understood, recognising the
contribution of environmental management to economic growth
and poverty reduction.
 Environmental and social considerations are appropriately analysed
and taken into account in development policy, planning and
strategic decision making at the formative stage and appropriate
response measures, effectively integrated into the development of
PPPs and projects.
 As a result of the above, the outcomes of PPPs have better prospects
to contribute to sustainable development and attainment of the
MDGs.

The OECD guidelines will supplement the JICA and National SEA
Guidelines.

3.6 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE MASTER PLAN WITH OTHER PPPS

3.6.1 Comparative Analysis of the Master Plan with other Polices

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-31
Table 3.5 Analysis of Relevant Policies with the NEC Master Plan

Policy Environmental and Social Opportunities for the Master Potential areas of Conflict
Considerations within the Plan
Policy
Vision 2030 Building a just and cohesive
Social, economic and political None
society with social equity in a
pillars in vision 2030 will be of
clean and secure environment
great importance when it
comes to implementation of
the Master Plan
Regional Development Policy To reform in the legal Prevents conflicts with None
environment in order to create development in the various
a more cohesive framework for regions and counties
regional development
Development and Management of the roads sub- Various policies for the roads None
Management of the Roads Sub- sector for sustainable economic sub-sector will be availed
Sector for Sustainable growth
Economic Growth, Sessional
Paper No 5 of 2006

National Land Policy, To address environmental Detailed information on how None

Sessional Paper No. 3 of 2009 degradation and look into land to go about acquisition of land
access. will be availed
Environment and Sustainable To provide comprehensive Specific projects within the None
Development Policy, Sessional guidelines and strategies for Master Plan will be carried out
Paper No. 6 of 1999 government action on the sustainably
environment and
development.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-32
Policy Environmental and Social Opportunities for the Master Potential areas of Conflict
Considerations within the Plan
Policy
Wildlife Policy, Sessional To optimize the benefits that Able to prevent the impact Where the corridor transverses
Paper No. 3 of 1975 include the aesthetic, cultural caused to the wildlife. through forest and other
and scientific gains from protected areas
conservation of habitats and
the fauna within them.
National Disaster Management Pays attention to The Master Plan will use the None
Policy, 2009 environmental concerns in the policy to curb any disaster that
design and management of is likely to occur along the
disaster programmes, NEC
constantly reviewing the
changing status and trends of
the environment to ensure
sustainable compliance

Addresses the risks of natural

disasters to the various
infrastructure projects.
Energy Policy, 2005 To protect and conserve the Infrastructure projects of the None
environment, with a bias NEC will require energy
towards the exploitation of
green energy

Gender Policy, 2011 To ensure the needs of each Gender concerns will be None
gender is addressed. considered by the Master Plan
Integrated National Transport To develop, operate and Different modes of transport None
Policy, 2009 maintain an efficient, cost will be integrated in the master
effective, safe, secure and plan
integrated transport system

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-33
Policy Environmental and Social Opportunities for the Master Potential areas of Conflict
Considerations within the Plan
Policy
National Policy on Water To preserve, conserve and Water Resources along NEC None
Resources Management and protect available water will be managed
Development, Sessional Paper resources and allocate it in a
No. 1 of 1999, sustainable, rational, and
economic way.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-34
3.6.2 Comparative Analysis of the Master Plan with other Plans

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-35
Table 3.6 Analysis of Relevant Plans with the NEC Master Plan

Plan Environmental and Social Considerations within the Opportunities for the Master Potential areas of
Policy Plan Conflict
Sectoral Plans
Updated Least The LCPDP establishes a path of increasing Kenya’s The NEC Master Plan (MP) The NEC MP projects
Cost Power energy outputs through a variety of sources based on can provide the demand to have the potential of
Development natural resources. It provides a forecast of energy justify investments proposed having bias preference
Plan 2011-2013 demand taking into consideration social and economic by the LCPDP. on energy sources
(2013) (LCPDP) parameters of the country including the Vision 2030 based on economics.
flagship projects. Also, power infrastructure This can potentially
projects can be undertaken in increase demand
line with the LCPDP. against the
propositions of the
LCPDP.
Kenya The KDMP includes a detailed assessment of KPLC’s The NEC MP can undertake Mandate and project
Distribution distribution network over 2012-2030 period and its power distribution project alignment/priority
Master Plan proposes a master plan for power distribution projects. in line with or under the conflicts can occur in
2012-2030 It includes an environmental and social scoping framework of the KDMP and the event that the
(2013) (KDMP) assessment of these projects wherein it predicts thus be synergistic. NEC MP projects are
potential impacts and proposes mitigation measures. not undertaken
Mitigation measures for the outside of the
NEC MP’s potential negative considerations of the
impacts can similarly borrow KDMP. The KDMP’s
or update those proposed by propositions are also
KDMP. based on the LCPDP’s
forecasts of energy
demand.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-36
Plan Environmental and Social Considerations within the Opportunities for the Master Potential areas of
Policy Plan Conflict
Kenya The Kenya Petroleum Master Plan (KPMP) provides a Petroleum sector projects can Mandate and priority
Petroleum development plan of up to the year 2040 for the be implemented under conflicts are possible
Master Plan petroleum sector. It identifies projects in each sub-sector planning framework of the with the institutional
(2015) (KPMP) and provides a framework for managing environmental KPMP thereby being realignments
and social issues of these projects and the sector. A synergistic. Other sectoral proposed by draft
Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) projects can also create regulations in the
is also being prepared for the petroleum sector as part demand for petroleum energy sector. These
of the Kenya Petroleum Technical Assistance Project. products. are institutions such
as ERC (ERC) will be
On implementation, key in implementing
petroleum sector projects can and regulating the
implement mitigation KPMP projects.
measures in line with the
petroleum sector SESA’s
propositions once the study is
completed.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-37
Plan Environmental and Social Considerations within the Opportunities for the Master Potential areas of
Policy Plan Conflict
Kenya National The KNIMP presents a roadmap to develop the The implementers of the NEC Potential negative
ICT Master country’s knowledge economy that leads to MP can integrate the green impacts associated
Plan (2014) socioeconomic growth. Amongst its guiding principles ICT into their respective with ICT equipment
(KNIMP) it requires all institutions involved in its projects. can undermine the
implementation to adhere to the green ICT concept. achievement of the
Integration of ICT into the green ICT concept at
NEC MP projects and the project level.
providing industry related
data can promote the
attainment of the KNIMP
goals.

Direct ICT projects such as the

SCADA system will add to the
infrastructure available in the
country increasing
connectivity.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-38
Plan Environmental and Social Considerations within the Opportunities for the Master Potential areas of
Policy Plan Conflict
National Water The NWMP proposes the direction of water The NEC MP project’s Creation of additional
Master Plan development plan and water management plan in demand on water resources demand outside of the
2030 (2013) Kenya based on Vision 2030 with water development can add to the justification for scope of the NWMP
(NWMP) projects to solve water scarcity of Kenya. It provides sectoral investments under the can cause water
interventions based on water balances in each basin and plan. imbalance or
in an updated regulatory context as compared to the undermine other
previous water master plan. The NWMP also proposes The NEC’s water sector forms of demand.
environmental management plans (EMPs) for each projects can also be
basin and sub-catchments in addition to identifying the implemented in line with the The water sector also
impact factors of its projects. EMPs in each basin thereby has numerous
promoting synergies. Some of stakeholders who
these projects are also implement a variety
proposed by the NWMP. projects in the
different basins
Monitoring the water sector traversed by NEC and
projects in their respective thus mandate and
catchments can provide an project priority
opportunity for the NEC MP conflicts are possible
implementers to collect and on project
share data with other implementation and
stakeholders. This would regulation.
promote holistic decision
making in each catchment.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-39
Plan Environmental and Social Considerations within the Opportunities for the Master Potential areas of
Policy Plan Conflict
National The NCCAP has been developed with a purpose of The NEC MP can implement In lieu of following or
Climate reducing Kenya’s vulnerability to climate change and low carbon development supporting low
Change Action enabling the country exploit any opportunities therein. modes in each of its proposed carbon development
Plan 2013-2018 The plan seeks to draw a low carbon resilient interventions promoting the or implementation
(2013) development pathway towards the achievement of achievement of the NCCAP. paths, the NEC MP
(NCCAP) Vision 2030. The plan proposes sectoral adaptation The NEC MP can integrate the can contribute to
actions and mitigation measures. NCCAP’s sectoral priority raising Kenya’s
adaptation actions and emission profile
mitigation measures into its whereas other
sectoral projects where negative impacts can
feasible to promote synergies. increase the country’s
vulnerability to
climate change. This
would undermine the
goals of the NCCAP.

Kenya Green The Kenya GESIP proposes a development path The NEC MP has the potential Without adequate
Economy towards Vision 2030 that promotes resource efficiency of implementing its projects implementation of
Strategy and and sustainable management of natural resources, through methods congruent to mitigation measures
Implementation social inclusion, resilience, and sustainable the propositions of GESIP via the potential negative
Plan (2015) infrastructure development. It promotes investments in its mitigation measures. This impacts of the NEC
(GESIP) renewable energy, promotion of resource-efficient and would promote the MP can undermine
cleaner production, enhanced resilience to economic achievement of the goals in the achievement of the
and climatic shocks, pollution control and waste GESIP’s five strategic areas. green economy.
management, environmental planning and governance,
and restoration of forest ecosystems.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-40
Plan Environmental and Social Considerations within the Opportunities for the Master Potential areas of
Policy Plan Conflict
Kenya National The NBSAP seeks to address the national and Through its mitigation Residual biodiversity
Biodiversity international undertaking elaborated in the Convention measures on biodiversity the losses will undermine
Strategy and on Biological Diversity (CBD). It is a national NEC MP can where possible the NBSAP or result
Action Plan framework of action for implementation of the prevent or otherwise mitigate in priority conflicts
(2000) (NBSAP) convention to ensure that the rate of biodiversity loss is biodiversity losses in line with
between sustainable
reversed and prevailing levels of biodiversity resources NBSAP. use and conservation
are maintained at sustainable levels for posterity. efforts.
Master Plan for This Master Plan for Water Catchment Areas (WCAs) The NEC MP can use low There is potential for
the has been developed to provide strategies aimed at carbon development strategies land use restrictions
Conservation protecting Kenya’s water catchment areas from and similar propositions of or different priorities
and Sustainable degradation and ensuring their sustainable use. the GESIP to promote in catchment areas
Management of conservation and protection of which are located in
Catchment WCAs. Any developments in the NEC amongst the
Areas in Kenya WCAs can also be two MPs. These also
(2012) implemented in line with the include conflicts
propositions of the WCA MP. between sustainable
use and conservation
strategies.

Transboundary
catchments can
present more complex
mandate and priority
challenges due to
different regulatory
regimes across
borders.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-41
Plan Environmental and Social Considerations within the Opportunities for the Master Potential areas of
Policy Plan Conflict
National The NMSRCP provides procedures for responding to oil Oil spill contingency measures Limitations on
Marine Spills and HNS spills in the marine environment of Kenya. It can be developed in line with technology approved
Response is updated bi-annually or after any major oil spill. the NMSRCP. under the NMSRCP
Contingency and the response
Plan efficiency of spill
(NMSRCP) response agencies can
limit the effectiveness
of spill response
procedures.

National This plan has been developed with a purpose of The NEC MP’s benefits of The potential negative
Nutrition providing a framework for coordinated implementation improving access to services impacts of the NEC
Action Plan of nutrition interventions activities by its stakeholders. will promote the achievement MP can compromise
2012-2017 The plan is focussed on High Impact Nutrition of the NNAP since there will the achievement of the
(2013) Interventions which were aimed at supporting the be better access to markets for NNAP’s strategic
achievement of MDGs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. produce. objectives.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-42
Plan Environmental and Social Considerations within the Opportunities for the Master Potential areas of
Policy Plan Conflict
National The NSP) has been developed with a purpose of Location of the NEC MP’s There is potential of
Spatial Plan providing a national spatial structure that defines how projects according to the spatial development
2015-2045 the national space is utilized to ensure optimal and NSP’s regional development priority conflicts
(2016) (NSP) sustainable use of land. The plan itself is a Vision 2030 proposals will be synergistic. between the two
flagship project and it is anticipated to promote the The NSP’s strategic objectives plans.
attainment of national, social, economic and can also be integrated into the
environmental goals and objectives. This plan aims at NEC MP. Some of these are
achieving an organized, integrated, sustainable and already integrated into the
balanced development of the country. NEC MP such as promoting
regional growth centres;
decentralizing development
from the existing major cities,
and linking production and
tourism areas.

Sustainable The STMP’s main aim is to provide IGAD member The NEC MP has direct Potential for conflict
Tourism Master states with a regional framework for sustainable benefits to the STMP and on priorities between
Plan (STMP) for tourism development with a view to contributing to tourism sector as a growth conservation and
the Inter- socio-economic development and poverty alleviation as driver in Kenya. The NEC MP sustainable use with
Governmental well as promoting regional integration. Amongst its can increase Kenya’s global respect to natural and
Authority on underlying principles include ensuring that tourism competitiveness in the cultural resources
Development development is sustainable, providing equity for both industry. Infrastructure which are tourist
(IGAD) Region inter-generational, whereby the current exploitation of development is amongst the attractions. The NEC
2013-2023 tourism resources should not compromise the ability of strategic areas of intervention MP’s potential
(2013) future generations, and intra-generations, taking into identified by the STMP. adverse impacts (land
account issues relating to enhancing social justice and use and landscape
poverty alleviation. changes) can threaten
these resources.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-43
Plan Environmental and Social Considerations within the Opportunities for the Master Potential areas of
Policy Plan Conflict
Master Plan MAPSKID has been developed with an overall goal of The NEC MP’s strategic The manufacturing
For Kenyan promoting the industrial development of Kenya with interventions coincide with sector is interlinked
Industrial emphasis of target subsectors. MAPSKID identifies the those of MAPSKID. These with other sectors and
Development environmental issues associated with industrial include promoting value there is thus potential
2008 development in Kenya and provides guidance on how addition, global for mandate conflicts
(MAPSKID) these may be addressed based on lessons learnt from competitiveness, on implementation of
previous and existing strategies. decentralizing production and sectoral interventions.
balancing imports and exports
amongst others. Additionally, Competition of
the NEC’s potential benefits interests between
will support the target sectors manufacturers in
covered by MAPSKID. EPZs and those
outside with respect
to access to local
markets.

Capital Markets The CMMP seeks to develop Kenya’s capital markets to Capital markets can provide a The CMMP has a
Master Plan become deep and dynamic to stimulate domestic source of funding for the NEC preference on the
2014-2023 development (mainly projects under Vision 2030), while MP’s infrastructure projects. Vision 2030 projects
(CMMP) simultaneously providing a gateway to Middle Africa The CMMP also promotes since it has been
for regional and international capital flows. It funding for service devolution developed as a
anticipates that Kenya will be transformed into the as proposed by the NEC MP. flagship project of the
choice market for domestic, regional and international policy.
issuers and investors looking to invest in and realize
their investments in Kenya, within East Africa and
across Middle Africa. In this respect, any such
investments will be guided by international best
practices that require such investments adhere to
environmental standards, regulations and guidelines.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-44
Plan Environmental and Social Considerations within the Opportunities for the Master Potential areas of
Policy Plan Conflict
East African The EARMP aims to close capacity gaps in the railway Development of ancillary There is potential of
Railways infrastructure in East Africa by developing the required railway network conflicting priorities
Master Plan level of infrastructure and services to make a maximum infrastructure such as ICDs, between the
(2009) contribution in facilitating and catalysing more robust marshalling yards, rolling development of
(EARMP) regional trade and economic development. The EARMP stock maintenance facilities standard gauges and
review the existing environmental regulatory and equipment maintenance rehabilitation of the
framework of the EAC states and develops an depots, will improve existing meter gauges
environmental checklist to ensure its proposed railway efficiency of existing and new or cape gauges.
investments can be carried out in an environmentally networks. Additionally, Similar, there are also
responsible manner. The plan also identifies potential improvements on the technological
issues that may require particular attention when operational standards and compatibility issues
project-specific environmental assessments are logistics of other linked associated with
conducted. infrastructure (ports, roads differences in rail
and airports) will also gauges amongst
improve the efficiency of the existing networks in
railway system. the region. Not all rail
lines in the region are
of the same gauge.
Conversion of main
lines would reduce
network connectivity
within the same
network.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-45
Plan Environmental and Social Considerations within the Opportunities for the Master Potential areas of
Policy Plan Conflict
Kenya Scaling- This plan outlines how Kenya will invest in renewable The NEC MP’s increased Energy preference is
Up Renewable projects under SREP. It identifies renewable energy energy demand can add to the typically decided at
Energy projects to be scaled up and for which Sectoral justification of the investments project design stage.
Program Environmental Impact Assessments (SEAI) were carried under this plan. Economics often
(SREP) out. These SEIAs identified cumulative environmental dictates energy
Investment and social risks and proposed mitigation measures. preference whilst
Plan (2011) users have little
influence on energy
supplied by
regulators.

Kenya The IWRM and WE Plan’s long-term objective is to The NEC MP’s water sector There is potential for
Integrated achieve optimum, long-term, environmentally projects can contribute to the mandate conflicts in
Water sustainable social and economic benefit from the achievement of the objective the water sector due
Resources nation’s water resources for society from their use. In of the IWRM and WE Plan by conflicting mandates
Management the short-term is aims to accelerate action towards adopting its guiding in the sector.
and Water addressing key water principles. Similarly, there is
Efficiency Plan resources-related challenges in national development in potential for project
(2009) (IWRM a more effective and comprehensive manner especially priority conflicts.
and WE Plan) in environmental flows, social development, tourism,
agriculture, industry, health and energy among others. The potential negative
impacts on
hydrological regimes
can undermine the
objectives of the
IWRM and WE Plan.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-46
Plan Environmental and Social Considerations within the Opportunities for the Master Potential areas of
Policy Plan Conflict
Northern This plan presents a comprehensive infrastructure Development interventions of There is potential of
Corridor master plan for the northern corridor as a long term the two master plans can be mandate and priority
Infrastructure program for strategic development of the corridor’s consolidated resulting in conflicts (duplicity)
Master Plan infrastructure. This master plan includes an synergy since some between the two
2010-2030 environmental assessment of the risks associated with interventions are in both. master plans.
(2011) its proposed interventions and prescribes mitigation
measures.
Regional/County Spatial and Integrated Development Plans
Nairobi NIUPLAN reviews and develops concepts on Linking and/or consolidating Mandate conflicts
Integrated sustainable urban development and improvement of the NEC MP’s interventions in particularly between
Urban living conditions based on integrated urban the region with those of national and regional
Development development plan for Nairobi city. This plan integrates NIUPLAN can be synergistic. implementation
Master Plan several findings/interventions of previous plans stakeholders are
(2014) proposed for the region. A SEA was prepared for it possible.
(NIUPLAN) which details its strategic position and proposes a
framework for managing its environmental and social Promoting regional
risks. growth
centres/secondary
cities under the NEC
MP can reduce the
gross economic
viability of some of
the NIUPLAN’s
interventions.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-47
Plan Environmental and Social Considerations within the Opportunities for the Master Potential areas of
Policy Plan Conflict
Master Plan for This MP has been developed with an aim of solving the The NEC MP’s interventions There is potential for
Urban transport challenges experienced in the Nairobi in the region can be linked or priority and mandate
Transport in Metropolitan area (Nairobi City and its environs). It consolidated with those of conflicts. Primary
The Nairobi includes a SEA which establishes a management NUTRANS. mandate conflicts are
Metropolitan framework for environmental and social risks of its between national and
Area (2006) proposed interventions. regional authorities.
(NUTRANS)

Comprehensive This MP aims to ensure that Mombasa contributes to Synergies are possible Mandate conflicts are
Development economic and social development along the NEC, with through integration and also possible between
Master Plan for a target year of 2040. The MP seeks to strengthen the consolidation of the national and regional
Mombasa Gate urban function of Mombasa as the gate city of the NEC. interventions of the two implementation
City (2016) A SEA has been prepared alongside the MP for the master plans. authorities.
management of the environmental and social risks of its
interventions. Decentralization of
economic activities as
proposed by the NEC
MP can lower gross
incentives for
investing in the Gate
City MP’s proposed
interventions.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-48
Plan Environmental and Social Considerations within the Opportunities for the Master Potential areas of
Policy Plan Conflict
Master Plan for This MP aims to develop a SEZ at Dongo Kundu in The NEC MP’s benefits of The potential negative
Development Mombasa. A SEA was prepared for this MP and it improved infrastructure and impacts of the NEC
of Mombasa presents a management framework for its access can promote the MP can undermine
Special environmental and social risks. achievement of the objectives the SEZ MP, primarily
Economic Zone of Mombasa SEZ MP since it in the maritime and
(2015) links with this SEZ. The port sectors.
achievement of the SEZ’s
objectives can also support
infrastructure investments
proposed by the NEC.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-49
Plan Environmental and Social Considerations within the Opportunities for the Master Potential areas of
Policy Plan Conflict
County Each of the 29 NEC Counties have enacted a CIDP to Alignment with CIDPs can There is potential for
Integrated guide their development. These CIDPs entail synergize the benefits of both mandate and project
Development interventions in the economic sectors or thematic areas the CIDPs and the NEC MP. priority conflicts
Plans (CIDPs) categorized by each county. These interventions and between national
any others in the counties are expected to comply with government agencies
county regulations on environment and socio-economic and county
development. Additionally, they also provide policy governments.
objects for managing environment and social issues and Moreover, there is
risks within the context of their jurisdictions. potential of project
duplicity and overlap
between the NEC MP
and the CIDPs.

The potential negative

impacts of the NEC
MP can undermine
the achievement of
CIDPs’ development
goals.

Master Plan for The MP proposes to develop a Leather Industrial Park Improved efficiency on the Negative impacts of
the for value additional and transformative research and transport network will the NEC MP can
Development innovation to exploit the economic potential of the promote the achievement of undermine the
of the Leather leather sector in Kenya. The facility is intended to be the LIP MP. Also, the LIP can objectives of the LIP
Industrial Park developed at Kananie in Machakos County. A SEA has be amongst the growth MP.
in Machakos been prepared for this MP and it details how drivers and industries that the
County (LIP environmental and social risks will be managed. NEC MP intends to promote.
MP)

Local Development Plans

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-50
Plan Environmental and Social Considerations within the Opportunities for the Master Potential areas of
Policy Plan Conflict
Ecosystem These plans have been developed under WCMA and Compliance with the Potential negative
Management they govern the management of protected areas. They recommendations or impacts of the NEC
Plans for control development and conservation efforts within guidelines of these MP on these
Protected Areas these areas to ensure sustenance or posterity of the management plans can ecosystems will
ecosystems. promote the conservation and threaten their
sustenance of the ecosystems. sustenance.
This will apply with the NEC
MP’s interventions which Spatial priority
intersect such ecosystems with conflicts are also
management plans. possible with the
concerned PAs based
on those impacts.
Such conflicts can be
associated with
differences between
sustainable use and
conservation.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-51
Plan Environmental and Social Considerations within the Opportunities for the Master Potential areas of
Policy Plan Conflict
Participatory Under the Forest Act PFMP have been developed to Compliance with these Potential negative
Forestry guide and control development and the conservation of management plans can impacts of the NEC
Management forest reserves in Kenya. At least 144 FRs in Kenya have promote the conservation and MP on these reserves
Plans (PFMP) such management plans whereas 87 of these are sustenance of those reserves will threaten their
for Forest established with community approval and participation directly intersected by the sustenance.
Reserves in the management of the reserves. NEC MP’s interventions.
Spatial priority
conflicts are possible
within the
jurisdictions with
respect to the
potential negative
impacts. Such
conflicts can be
associated with
differences between
sustainable use and
conservation.

Updated This Master Plan establishes a development program The NEC MP’s port sector There is potential for
Mombasa Port for the Port of Mombasa up to the year 2030. interventions can be priority conflicts on
Master Plan consolidated or integrated interventions between
2005-2030 with those of the Port MP for the two Master Plans
(2009) synergy. at the port.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-52
Plan Environmental and Social Considerations within the Opportunities for the Master Potential areas of
Policy Plan Conflict
Land Use These land use plans developed for various jurisdictions Compliance of the NEC MP There is potential for
Plans/County under the premise of the Physical Planning Act (Cap with these plans will be spatial priority
Physical Plans 286). They control land based developed within their mutually beneficial to both conflicts between
jurisdictions. They include both local and regional local authorities (County these plans and the
physical development plans as defined by CAP 286. Governments) and the NEC MP’s
implementers of the NEC MP. interventions at their
jurisdictions.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-53
3.6.3 Comparative Analysis of the Master Plan with other Programmes

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-54
Table 3.7 Analysis of Relevant Programmes with the NEC Master Plan

Programme Environmental and Social Opportunities for the Master Potential areas of Conflict
Considerations within the Plan
Policy
The Land Cover and Land Use Vision 2030 flagship Detailed information on land None
Mapping Initiative progamme that will map land use and land cover in the NEC
cover and use in the country will be availed.
The Water Catchment Vision 2030 flagship Water catchments within NEC None
Management Initiative progamme that will manage such as the Athi and Tana,
water catchments in the South and Northern Lake
country Victoria Basin, will be
managed
Securing the Wildlife Corridors Vision 2030 flagship Wildlife corridors and In areas traversed by the roads
and Migratory Routes progamme that will provide migratory routes such as in the and railway
Initiative and keep open wildlife Tsavo West, Tsavo West,
corridors in the country Chyulu, Nairobi National
Park, Longonot, Hell’s Gate,
Lake Nakuru National Parks
will be secured and protected
The Solid Waste Management Vision 2030 flagship The system will indicate how None
System Initiative progamme that will develop solid waste especially in urban
solid waste management areas including those in the
system NEC will be collected and
disposed or used.
Rehabilitation and protection This project entails full Indigenous forests in the Mau None
of indigenous forests in the 5 rehabilitation of the 5 water Escarpment Abadares Ranges,
water towers towers in the country. Mt. Kenya, Cherengani Hills
and Mt. Elgon will be
rehabilitated and protected
Rehabilitation, Regeneration & The aim of the programme is Nairobi rivers will be None
Restoration of Nairobi Rivers to fully rehabilitate the rehabilitated, regenerated and
catchment basin of the Nairobi restored. Other rivers like
River in order to make it a Ngong will also be covered
recreation site. under this programme.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-55
Programme Environmental and Social Opportunities for the Master Potential areas of Conflict
Considerations within the Plan
Policy
Water harvesting and storage Water from rivers that flood The floods of Western Kenya None
programme will be harvested and stored will be managed through
construction of large multi-
purpose dams along Rivers
Nzoia and Nyando. Water
dykes will also be constructed
along the lower reaches of
Nzoia and Nyando rivers
Urban sewerage programme Managing environmental Urban sanitation and hygiene None
pollution in towns and in improved and pollution of
water basins shared water basins in the
NEC will be controlled.
The Plastic Bags Initiative Vision 2030 flagship Production and usage of None
progamme that will require environmentally detrimental
tightening regulations in order bags will be regulated
to limit production and usage
of environmentally-
detrimental plastic bags
Rural Electrification Rural Electrification The programme will facilitate None
programme (REP) Programme financed to the connection of power to 460
tune of Kshs. 2.7 billion to trading centres and 110
cover various parts of the secondary schools, among
country. other public amenities, many
which are within the NEC

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-56
Programme Environmental and Social Opportunities for the Master Potential areas of Conflict
Considerations within the Plan
Policy
Energy Access Scale-up Energy Access Scale-up Major trading centers, schools, None
Programme Programme at an estimated water works and health
cost of Kshs. 84 billion facilities in the NEC will get
targeting major trading more electricity. Also two
centres, secondary and common user LPG handling
primary schools, community facilities will be constructed in
water supply works and health Mombasa and Nairobi with
centres. capacities of 6,000 ton and
2,000 ton respectively.
Olkaria IV appraisal drilling of Drilling of wells for purposes The programme will produce None
6 wells of producing geo-thermal more electricity for use in the
electricity NEC. The programme targets
to commercially exploit steam
available in this field
Wind Power generation by More wind generated power Targets exploitation of about None
IPPs at various sites will be produced 150MW of wind power will be
exploited through Public
Private Partnerships (PPP).
Economic Stimulus Program The stimulus was in response A boost to the country's None
(ESP) to the economic decline in economic recovery; expanded
economic growth rate from economic opportunities in
7.1% in 2007 to 1.7% in 2009. rural areas for employment
creation; promoted regional
development for equity and
social stability; improved
infrastructure and the quality
education and healthcare; and
expanded the access to, and
built the ICT capacity to
expand economic
opportunities and accelerate
economic growth.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-57
Programme Environmental and Social Opportunities for the Master Potential areas of Conflict
Considerations within the Plan
Policy
Kenya Rural Development To promote sustainable Livelihoods in ASAL counties None
Programme (KRDP) livelihood diversification in within the NEC are being
Arid and semi arid lands diversified
Agricultural Sector The overall objective is to Increased agricultural cargo to None
Development Support achieve agricultural growth be handled by the NEC
Programme (ASDSP) rate of 7% per year through
commercialization and
modernization of the sector
Kenya’s Industrial Economic Pillar of Vision 2030 Creates a robust, diversified None
Transformation Programme which aims to transform and competitive
Kenya into a newly manufacturing sector in the
industrializing, “middle- NEC in three ways: 1) boosting
income country providing a local production, 2) expanding
high-quality life to all its to the regional market and 3)
citizens by the year 2030 taking advantage of global
market niches.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-58
Programme Environmental and Social Opportunities for the Master Potential areas of Conflict
Considerations within the Plan
Policy
Kenya Extractive Industries Supports efforts to develop a The Programme is structured None
Development Programme stable, transparent and around two principal outputs:
(KEIDP) sustainable extractive industry (i) Increased capacity of key
covering oil, gas and mining, national government agencies
which delivers inclusive to govern the sector well; and
benefits to Kenyan citizens. (ii) Significantly improved
KEIDP’s objective and participatory, equitable and
principal outputs are achieved sustainable collective
through four key components: stewardship of the extractive
(i) Ministry of Mining; (ii) sectors
Ministry of Energy and
Petroleum; (iii) Community
Engagement Component; (iv)
Cross Cutting Component
comprising a Local Content
Study and the Information
Centre for the Extractives
Sector( ICES)
School Feeding Programme Used to incentivize the Through providing daily None
enrollment and retention of meals, schools are able to meet
rural children and girls, as immediate food needs, provide
part in the realizing the future safety nets, and offer
country’s goal of universal long-term assistance and
primary education empowerment to children,
families and communities
within the ASAL areas of the
NEC
National Aids and STI Control Controlling the spread of HIV Increasing labor productivity None
Programme (NASCOP) and sexually transmitted and reducing public
diseases expenditure on these diseases
in the NEC

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-59
Programme Environmental and Social Opportunities for the Master Potential areas of Conflict
Considerations within the Plan
Policy
The East African Marine A submarine cable that will Kenya will have affordable None
Systems (TEAMS) extend from Mombasa to high-capacity bandwidth
Fujairah in the UAE.
National Terrestrial Fibre Intended to compliment the Programme ensures maximum
Optic Network Project TEAMS programme. utilization of capacity and
connectivity in all the counties
Government Common Core Intended to function as a The system does not only None
Network (GCCN) shared and secure integrate work processes and
interoperable government- information flow, but also
wide ICT architecture. improves inter-ministerial
sharing of databases and
exchange of information
Local and Wide Area Local Area Networks (LANS) This eases communication. It None
Networks have been installed in all has been extended to all the
government ministry counties
headquarters.
Kenya Transparency This programme aims to The programme incorporates None
Communication Infrastructure ensure equity in the provision establishment of digital
Programme (KTCIP) of ICT services. villages and bandwidth
subsidies in the counties.
Data Centre/Data Recovery The government Data Centre The Neutral Data Centre will None
Centre (GDC) will be established to provide world-class services to
provide storage for all government ministries,
government data bases. departments and agencies,
private sector operators and
businesses.
Digital Literacy Programme Promoting computer based More than 12,000 digital None
learning in primary schools devices for the programme will
be distributed to 150 primary
schools for the pilot phase of
the Digital Literacy
Programme

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-60
Programme Environmental and Social Opportunities for the Master Potential areas of Conflict
Considerations within the Plan
Policy
Women Enterprise Fund The fund capacity builds The fund will empower None
women entrepreneurs through women so that they can
the concept volunteerism. The participate in businesses in the
volunteers are based at NEC
constituency level and their
roles include recruiting
women, training them and
monitoring their projects and
loan repayments.
Youth Enterprise Development The Fund is one of the flagship The Fund creates employment None
Fund projects of Vision 2030, under opportunities for young people
the social pillar. Its strategic through entrepreneurship and
focus is on enterprise encouraging them to be job
development as a key strategy creators and not job seekers. It
that will increase economic does this by providing easy
opportunities for, and and affordable financial and
participation by Kenyan Youth business development support
in nation building. services to youth who are keen
on starting or expanding
businesses.
Uwezo Youth Development Flagship programme for vision Enables women, youth and None
Programme 2030 which aims at persons with disability access
empowering women, youth finances to promote businesses
and persons with disabilities. and enterprises at the
constituency level, thereby
enhancing economic growth
towards the realization of the
same and the Millennium
Development Goals No.1

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-61
Programme Environmental and Social Opportunities for the Master Potential areas of Conflict
Considerations within the Plan
Policy
Gender mainstreaming This will ensure inclusion of The needs and interests of each None
gender related issues in all gender (i.e. women and men,
government policies, plans and girls and boys) are addressed
programmes
Special Programmes Reduction of risks associated Minimize the effects of famine None
(Famine and disaster risk with famine and disasters and disasters on the people
reduction) and the economy

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

3-62
 4 METHODOLOGY AND APPROACH

This SEA methodology Chapter is based on the:

 NEMA National Guidelines for SEA in Kenya, 2012, specifically

Appendix 7 – Consolidated Checklist for the Quality Assurance, Review
and Performance Evaluation of a Comprehensive SEA, and the
 Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG), Transport Appraisal Process
from the UK Department of Transport publication of January
2014.

4.1 SEA STUDY AREA

The target area of the Master Plan study covers the following routes
and surrounding areas (see below) (1):

 Main route
o Mombasa – Nairobi – Tororo –Kampala – Katuna – Kigali
(Rwanda)

 Sub-routes
o Eldoret – Nadapal – Juba (South Sudan)
o Tororo – Gulu – Elegu – Juba
o Kampala – Gulu – Elegu – Juba
o Mbarara – Mpondwe – Kisangani (DRC)

(1) It is important to note that an SEA is also being carried out in Uganda, under consultation with NEMA Uganda

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

4-1
Figure 4.1 NEC Master Plan Study Area

Source: JST, 2016

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

4-2
4.2 SCREENING

Screening is carried out to establish whether an SEA is appropriate and

relevant to the development of a PPP (NEMA, 2012). It is used to
determine the potential of a PPP to result in significant impacts on the
environment and to determine if a SEA is required. The screening stage
of the SEA is when:

 objectives are set, and

 the process of identifying stakeholders is carried out.

As discussed in Chapter 1 of this SEA Report, a PPP Brief was submitted

to NEMA in June 2015 by the JST on behalf of MoTI. The screening
results were thereafter communicated to the Ministry, i.e., the decision
by NEMA that an SEA was necessary, and was to be carried out in
accordance with the National Guidelines for SEA in Kenya (2012).

4.3 SCOPING

The scoping stage establishes the focus and content of the SEA and the
relevant criteria for assessment. The scoping study identified the
potentially significant environmental and social impacts relating to the
PPP that needed to be addressed as part of the SEA Study. The scoping
study was carried out by ERM between October 2015 and February
2016.

As part of the Scoping Study the following activities were undertaken:

 Identification of sources of secondary data on baseline conditions;

 Identification of, and consultation with, stakeholders who would be
interested and/or affected by the NEC Master Plan;
 Identification of cross-sectoral issues and impacts, prioritising them
on a shortlist which would need to be considered as part of the SEA;
and
 Defining the environmental, social and legislative setting of the
Master Plan.

The following methods of data collection were used during the Scoping
Study:

 A desk-top review of documents including the JST Master Plan

Inception Report and Progress Report Number 1, as well as other
relevant PPPs,

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

4-3
  Consultative meetings with Stakeholders in Nairobi, Nakuru,
Mombasa, Kisumu and Malaba (1) , and
 Preparation and circulation of a questionnaire that was
administered during the Stakeholder Meetings in the 5 towns.

The Scoping Report was submitted to NEMA on the 02nd March 2016
and the Report was approved by NEMA on 06th April 2016 (Reference
number NEMA/SEA/5/2/043).

4.4 BASELINE DATA COLLECTION AND CONSTRAINTS MAPPING

In order to understand the existing baseline environmental and social

conditions in the area, a variety of data collection methods were
undertaken.

4.4.1 Baseline Data Collection

Due to the extensive coverage of the Master Plan, the level of baseline
data was collected at County and City levels from secondary data,
mainly the most recent County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs),
Strategic Plans and the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.

Other sources of data included:

 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

(UNESCO), for data on cultural and scientific significance;
 Ramsar, for the identification and mapping of wetlands of
international importance;
 Ministry of Planning and Devolution (Kenya), for County Profiles;
 USGS and NASA – Satellite Imagery and Earthquake Data, for
seismic and satellite information;
 NOAA – Tropical Storm Data, for information on natural hazards;
 International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), for the
identification of conservation areas and identification of threatened
species;
 UNEP-WCMC and IUCN – Protected Planet, for the identification of
protected areas and areas of conservation value;
 BirdLife International and Nature Kenya, for the identification of
important bird areas (IBAs);

(1)It is important to note that since the coverage area of the Master Plan is so extensive, the places where the stakeholder
meetings were conducted was limited to major cities/towns along the Corridor. This was agreed in consultative meetings
between NEMA/JST/MoTI.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

4-4
  Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA)
Economic Report 2014 Data, for the performance of the Kenyan
economy;
 Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), for the identification and mapping of
nature reserves and national parks; and
 Kenya Forest Service (KFS), for the identification and mapping of
gazetted forest reserves.

Baseline data was collected as per the National Guidelines for SEA in
Kenya (NEMA, 2012), as indicated in Box 4.1

Box 4.1 Baseline Data Collected

Physical environment - including climate, air quality, water resources

and water quality, noise, topography, soils, geology, hydrology
including risks of natural disasters.
Biological conditions - biodiversity, ecology and nature conservation
in which issues of endangered species, protected ecosystems, habitat,
species of commercial importance, invasive species and their impacts
are assessed.
Social-economic conditions and human health – including
archaeology and cultural heritage landscape and facial aspects,
recreational, social-economic aspects, land use, transportation,
infrastructure, agricultural development, tourism, and human health.

Source: NEMA, 2012

4.4.2 Document Review

A detailed literature review was undertaken based on the findings of

the scoping process, which involved reviewing legislation, policies,
County Development Plans, and previous studies carried out in the
area to determine the baseline conditions and establish the legal,
institutional and biophysical and socio-economic environmental setting
of the proposed project.

The desk based study also included the development of Key Informant
Interview (KII) questionnaires/guided discussions, as well as the
approach to continued stakeholder engagement as outlined in the
Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP).

4.4.3 Stakeholder Consultation

Stakeholder consultation during baseline data collection was carried

out as follows:

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

4-5
  Key Informant Interviews (KII) with various high-level Stakeholders
in Nairobi, Nakuru, Mombasa, Kisumu and Malaba,
 A second round of consultative meetings with Stakeholders in
Nairobi, Nakuru, Mombasa, Kisumu and Malaba;
 Additional meetings with the Ministries relevant to the Master Plan,
as well as the County Representatives that the NEC traverses.

4.4.4 Identifying Constraints and Opportunities

This stage was concerned with identifying the physical, legal and
institutional constraints, and the opportunities affecting the Area of
Interest (AoI).

4.4.4.1 Identifying Constraints

Constraints are features which limit the potential transport options

available. Constraints identified by the SEA experts included:

 areas with extensive development within urban areas through to

landscape and environmental constraints in most rural areas,
 physical features which exert special constraints on the shape of the
logistics strategy, such as sensitive areas of ecological or landscape
or heritage importance, built-up areas, hilly terrain, rivers and
railways that are expensive to bridge, etc., and
 Institutional or legal constraints which are important to take into
account, e.g., the provision of elements of the public transport
system by private operators who will have their own commercial
objectives. The extent to which these institutional and legal
constraints have a material bearing on the outcome of the SEA
depend on the extent to which the recommendations are developed
with the private suppliers of transport.

Early appreciation of any constraints, especially those which may be

“show-stoppers”, is essential when developing and assessing options.
However, identification of constraints, can limit the option generation
process unnecessarily. The SEA Experts therefore assessed the extent to
which each of the identified constraints can or cannot be overcome (and
how).

4.4.4.2 Identifying Opportunities

In parallel with listing constraints, any opportunities to improve the

transport and logistic system more widely or to have positive impacts

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

4-6
 on issues of wider concern, such as regeneration, were noted. Examples
of opportunities include:

 ways of making better use of the existing infrastructure or existing

underused assets (e.g. reopening rail lines),
 transport that opens up development land for regeneration or
housing, and
 enhancements to the environment.

4.5 IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND MITIGATION

The SEA assessment and mitigation methodology relied heavily on the

Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG), Transport Appraisal Process from
the UK Department of Transport publication of January 2014:
https://www.gov.uk/transport-analysis-guidance-webtag

Additional useful information on the reporting of specific impacts, and

on the assessment of significance of impacts, was sourced from:
http://www.standardsforhighways.co.uk/dmrb/

4.5.1 Assessing the Significance of Impacts

The significance of the impact was formulated as a function of the

receptor or resource environmental value (or sensitivity) and the
magnitude of project impact (change). In other words, significance
criteria are used to report the effect of the impact.

Table 4.1 Environmental Value (or Sensitivity) and Typical Descriptors

Value Typical Descriptors

(sensitivity)
Very High Very high importance and rarity, international scale and
very limited potential for substitution
High High importance and rarity, national scale and limited
potential for substitution
Medium High or medium importance and rarity, regional scale,
limited potential for substitution
Low (or Lower) Low or medium importance and rarity, local scale
Negligible Very low importance and rarity, local scale
Source: UK Department of Transport, 2014

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

4-7
Table 4.2 Assessment Magnitude of Impact

Magnitude of Typical Criteria Descriptors

Impact
Major Loss of resource and/or quality and integrity of resource,
severe damage to key characteristics, features or elements
(adverse)
Large scale or major improvement of resource quality,
extensive restoration or enhancement, major improvement of
attribute quality (beneficial)
Moderate Loss of resource but not so adversely affecting the integrity,
partial loss of damage to key characteristics, features or
elements (adverse)
Benefit to, or addition of, key characteristics, features or
elements, improvement of attribute quality (beneficial)
Minor Some measureable change in attributes, quality or
vulnerability, minor loss of, or alteration to one (maybe more)
key characteristics, features or elements (adverse)
Minor benefit to, or addition of, one (maybe more) key
characteristics, features or elements, some beneficial impact on
attribute or a reduced risk of negative impacts occurring
(beneficial)
Negligible Very minor loss or detrimental alteration to one or more
characteristic, feature or element (adverse)
Very minor benefit to or positive addition of one or more
characteristic, feature or element (beneficial)
No Change No loss or alteration of characteristic, features or elements, no
observable impact in either direction.
Source: UK Department of Transport, 2014

The approach to assigning the significance of impacts was based on

reasoned arguments, professional judgement and taking on board the
advice and views of appropriate Stakeholders. The five significance
categories are set out in Table 4.3

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

4-8
Table 4.3 Assigning Significance Rankings

Significance Typical description of Effect

Category
Very large Only adverse effects are normally assigned this level of
significance. They represent key factors in the decision-making
process. These effects are generally, but not exclusively,
associated with sites or features of international, national or
regional importance that are likely to suffer a most damaging
impact and loss of resource integrity. However a major change
in a site or feature of local importance may also enter this
category.
Large These beneficial or adverse effects are considered to be very
important considerations and are likely to be material in the
decision making process
Moderate These beneficial or adverse effects may be important, but are
not likely to be key decision-making factors. The cumulative
effects of such factors may influence decision-making if they
lead to an increase in the overall adverse effect on a particular
resource or receptor.
Slight These beneficial or adverse effects may be raised as local
factors. They are unlikely to be critical in the decision making
process, but are important in enhancing the subsequent design
of the project
Neutral No effects or those that are beneath levels of perception, within
normal bounds of variation or within the margin of forecasting
error.
Source: UK Department of Transport, 2014

It is important to note that significance categories are required for

positive (beneficial) as well as negative (adverse) effects. The five
significance categories gave rise to eight potential outcomes. Applying
the formula, the greater the environmental sensitivity or value of the
receptor or resource, and the greater the magnitude of impact, the more
significant the effect. The consequences of a highly valued
environmental resource suffering a major detrimental impact would be
a very significant adverse effect (Figure 4.2).

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

4-9
Figure 4.2 Arriving at the Significance of Effect Categories

Source: UK Department of Transport, 2014

Change can be either beneficial or adverse, and effects can also,

therefore, be either beneficial or adverse. In some cases above the
significance was shown as being one of two alternatives. In these cases
a single description was decided upon with reasoned judgement for
that level of significance chosen.

It is important to note that at the early stages of project design, the

details of mitigation are likely to be poorly defined. The significance
assigned to impacts by the SEA Consultant should be based upon the
assumption that only standard mitigation practices should be put in
place. Where other mitigation measures may be feasible or desirable to
address the effects, then these should be noted but these should not
influence the significance score that is assigned at this early stage. The
uncertainty regarding their adoption needs to be made clear and
subsequently resolved by the PPP Owner at the later stages of the
project assessment and design.

Topics seek to ensure that the following questions, where relevant,

should be considered in evaluating the significance of potential effects:

i. Which receptors/resources would be affected and in what way?

ii. Is the receptor/resource of a local, regional, national or
international importance, sensitivity or value?

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

4-10
 iii. Does the effect occur over the long or short term; is it permanent
or temporary and increase or decrease with time?
iv. Is the change reversible or irreversible?
v. Are environmental and health standards (e.g., local air quality
standards) being threatened?
vi. Are feasible mitigating measures available?

4.5.2 Determining the Significance of Cumulative Effects

When considered in isolation, the environmental effects of any single

project upon any single receptor/ resource may not be significant.
However, when individual effects are considered in combination, the
resulting cumulative effect may be significant. The focus in assigning
significance to cumulative effects should be determined by the extent to
which the impacts can be accommodated by the receptor/resource.

Thresholds (limits beyond which cumulative change becomes a

concern) and indicative levels of acceptable performance of a
receptor/resource may also aid the assessment process.

The following factors should be considered in determining the

significance of cumulative effects:

• Which receptors/resources are affected?

• How will the activity or activities affect the condition of the
receptor/resource?
• What are the probabilities of such effects occurring?
• What ability does the receptor/resource have to absorb further
effects before change becomes irreversible?

It is useful to standardise significance criteria for cumulative effects.

The 5 categories below could be used as a framework for determining
significance of cumulative effects:

Table 4.4 Determining the Effects of Cumulative Impacts

Significance Effect
Severe Effects that the decision-maker must take into account as the
receptor/resource is irretrievably compromised
Major Effects that may become a key decision-making issue
Moderate Effects that are unlikely to become issues on whether the
project design should be selected, but where future work may
be needed to improve on current performances
Minor Effects that are locally significant

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

4-11
 Significance Effect
Not Effects that are beyond the current forecasting ability or are
Significant within the ability of the resource to absorb such change.
Source: UK Department of Transport, 2014

4.5.3 Impact Mitigation

The SEA sought to incorporate measures to avoid or reduce the

significant environmental and social impacts following a hierarchical
system, where avoidance was always the first mitigation measure to be
considered, as presented in Box 4.2 below.

Box 4.2 Mitigation Hierarchy

Avoidance – consider and incorporate measures to prevent the effect

(for example, consider alternative design options or phase the project to
avoid environmentally sensitive periods).
Reduction – where avoidance is not possible, then methods to lessen
the effect should be considered and incorporated into the project
design. Consultation with the Overseeing Organisation will determine
whether any remaining ‘residual’ effect is considered to be
environmentally acceptable.
Remediation – where it is not possible to avoid or reduce a significant
adverse effect, then measures to offset the effect should be considered.

Source: NEMA, 2012

4.6 APPRAISING STRATEGIC ALTERNATIVES

The SEA should assess reasonable alternatives taking into account

current knowledge and methods of assessment. Each alternative can be
tested against the SEA objectives. Positive as well as negative effects
should be considered, and uncertainties about the nature and
significance of effects should be noted. This will often be an iterative
process, with the alternatives being revised to enhance positive effects
and reduce negative ones. It is, in any case, important to highlight that
it is not the purpose of SEA to decide which alternative should be
chosen for the plan or programme. This is the role of the decision
makers who have to make choices on the plan or programme to be
adopted. The SEA simply has to provide information on the relative
environmental impact of alternatives.

The alternatives considered at project, corridor and network level vary

from country to country, and between transport infrastructure plans. It

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

4-12
is possible, however, to identify indicators that may be used to compare
certain types of alternatives. The main distinction is between:

• alternative indicative routing, or siting in the case of nodal

infrastructure (normally assessed at corridor level);
• Alternative modes and measures to influence traffic flows (assessed
at corridor level or network level).
• In all cases impacts are deemed relevant if they can be influenced by
the infrastructure plan.

Table 4.5 shows indicators appropriate for comparing the above

outlined types of alternatives.
39

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

4-13
Table 4.5 Types of Alternatives for which an Indicator is sensitive

Impact Indicative Routing or Siting Modal Alternatives

Resource • resource intensity • resource intensity
depletion/waste • energy use (if modes are compared) • energy use
Climate change In cases where significant • emission of CO2
differences in route • vehicle kilometres by vehicle type
length arise) • modal share in passenger kilometres
and tonne kilometres
• Emission of CO2 • congestion
• Vehicle kilometres • fuel consumption
Acidification In cases where significant • emission of SO2 and NOx
differences in route • vehicle kilometres by vehicle type
length arise) • modal share in passenger kilometres
and tonne kilometres
• Emission of NOx or SO2 • congestion
• Vehicle kilometres
Local air pollution Exposure of the • emission of pollutants
population to above • likelihood that a large number of
standard pollutant people will be affected
concentrations • congestion
Photochemical (In cases where significant • modal share in passenger kilometres
Smog differences in route and tonne-kilometres
length arise) • vehicle kilometres
• emission of NOx and hydrocarbons
• emission of NOx or SO2
Biodiversity Land take and • length of infrastructure
fragmentation of • land take and land fragmentation of
ecologically sensitive sites ecologically sensitive areas
• distance from ecologically sensitive
areas
• risk of affecting key species
populations

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

4-14
Impact Indicative Routing or Siting Modal Alternatives
Landscape Land take, visual and other Land take, visual and other
impacts on character of impacts on character of
valued landscape areas valued landscape areas
Noise/tranquillity Exposure of the population • vehicle type and speed
to above standard noise • vehicle kilometres
level-area affected by noise • likelihood that a large number of
above a certain level people or tranquil areas will be
affected
Land take/ • land take in different Total land take per category
Proximity categories of land
• distance from sensitive
Areas
Impacts on water Distance from sensitive Distance from sensitive
Areas Sites
Accidents Number of accidents or • Number of accidents or casualties
casualties • Environmental damage caused by
Environmental damage accidents
caused by accidents
Source: UK Department of Transport, 2014

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

4-15
 A summary of the main alternatives studied by the Overseeing
Organisation that emerge in pursuit of the project objectives, the reason
for the Overseeing Organisation’s choice of project (taking into account
potential significant environmental effects), and an indication of the
main reasons for continuing with the project taking consideration of
potential significant environmental effects, must be provided in the
SEA. The main alternatives typically relate to ‘Demand’, ‘Activity’ or
‘Location’ alternatives e.g., those considered and presented at public
consultation for a major project.

4.7 REPORTING

4.7.1 Draft SEA Report

A Draft SEA Report was developed and submitted to NEMA on 28th

October 2016, reference number NEMA/SEA/5/2/043. (See Annex A3
for the Draft Report submission acknowledgement from NEMA).

4.7.2 Validation Workshop

The validation workshop was thereafter held on Tuesday 24th January

2017, where the Draft Report was presented to Stakeholders (see Annex
E2 for the minutes of this meeting).

4.7.3 Final SEA Report

As a result of the SEA process a comprehensive SEA Report (this

document) was developed for submission to NEMA for review.

4.8 GAPS, UNCERTAINTIES AND LIMITATIONS TO THE SEA STUDY

In any SEA process it is inevitable gaps remain. This section

summarises the gaps, uncertainties and limitations which were
considered when undertaking the SEA.

4.8.1 Environmental Baseline Gaps and Uncertainties

Several data gaps and uncertainties have been identified through the
preparation of the environmental baseline. These are the following:

4.8.1.1 Air Quality Baseline:

It is observed that there is no central baseline of air quality within the

country and by connection the NEC. This study therefore depends on
past studies on air quality within several nodes of the NEC.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

4-16
 4.8.1.2 Ecology and Spatial Data of Protected Areas (PAs) and Conservation
Areas (CAs)

Whilst this study was able to identify their location, there is limited
information available in literature on the ecology of PAs and CAs.
Furthermore, from the spatial data obtained, the spatial extent of many
of these areas is not discernible since they only appear as points.

4.8.1.3 Aquifer Maps

This study was only able to identify groundwater potential but not
accurately map aquifers. It is recommended that further studies on
hydrogeology be done at the project level when the NEC MP is
implemented.

4.8.1.4 Influence of Soil Characteristics:

Soils influence the development of infrastructure depending on the type

of infrastructure. This influence can thus mean mapped characteristics
of soils such as texture and pH can be constraints. However, the data
used for this study is coarse in resolution and accurate mapping can
only be done at the project level through geotechnical investigations.

4.8.2 Social Baseline Gaps and Uncertainties

4.8.2.1 Land Use Information

There was no adequate land use information and there was no up to

date land use shapefiles. Therefore the land uses maps were based on
the KWS land use shapefiles. There was also the lack of an integrated
land use framework plan.

4.8.2.2 Land Values

Land values along the NEC constantly fluctuate, therefore the SEA
study is based on the current land values.

4.8.2.3 Additional Gaps

These included information on community cultural sites, household

incomes and gender issues within the NEC. This information was either
unavailable or incomplete for the Counties that the NEC traverses.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

4-17
4.8.3 Limitations

4.8.3.1 Ongoing Projects within the NEC

The NEC comprises a variety of projects being implemented by

different agencies and some are already underway. This limits the
integration of the SEA’s recommendations and findings into these
projects.

4.8.3.2 Duplication of Government Agency Mandates

There is duplication of mandates amongst the government agencies that

are responsible for environment/natural resource management in
Kenya and a need for effective coordination among and within these
agencies

4.8.3.3 SEA Implementation

There is insufficient political buy-in to implement SEA when compared

to the prevailing environmental regulatory tools such as EIAs and
Environmental Audits.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

4-18
 5 ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE

5.1 INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW

This Chapter presents a description of the physical and biological

baseline environment of the NEC. It is essential that the baseline
conditions of an environment are characterised in order to accurately
predict the potential impacts the PPP may have on the environment.
The collection of baseline data also focuses on providing information to
support the assessment of any potential impacts.

Information was collected at the following levels:

 National Level: Secondary information was collected at national level

to provide a high level contextual overview of Kenya, and

 County Level: Secondary information was collected at the county

level aimed at providing a contextual overview the various counties
that the NEC traverses.

The baseline data was also collected to perform a situational analysis of

the receptive environment. Through this process potential constraints in
the NEC were identified and assessed.

Several regulations and Good International Industry Practice (GIIPs)

were consulted in developing this SEA’s baseline with the main ones
being:

 National Guidelines for SEA in Kenya (NEMA, 2012),

 JICA Guidelines for Environmental and Social Considerations

(2010), and

 EIA Regulations of Kenya (2003).

5.1.1 Master Plan Components and Layout

The Kenyan Section of the NEC is the basis of this Baseline Study. Its
primary infrastructure component is the Main Arterial Road (MR)
(A109 and A104 highway) which links Mombasa and Malaba. A total of
29 counties are traversed by the corridor in the main route with an
additional 2 in the sub route as identified in Table 5.1. These counties
are together termed as the ‘NEC Counties’ in this Report.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-1
Table 5.1 Intersected Counties (NEC Counties)

Infrastructure Components
MR (Km) MGR (Km) SR
County NEC Area (Km2) (Km)
Mombasa 216.0 12.2 5.7
Kilifi 3,673.3 31.6 33.4
Kwale 5,001.8 52.5 40.4
Taita/Taveta 12,075.5 118.9 176.6
Kitui 4,896.6
Bomet 247.9
Makueni 7,925.2 147.8 221.3
Kajiado 10,667.9 40.9 47.7
Machakos 3,155.7 44.7 57.0
Nairobi 706.4 38.2 46.2
Kiambu 2,495.0 46.3 76.9
Murang'a 1,315.4 9.5
Nyeri 617.8
Nyandarua 2,911.4 3.4 58.8
Nakuru 7,362.6 147.5 246.4
Narok 2,047.8
Laikipia 107.6 3.0
Baringo 3,528.9 18.8 45.0
Kericho 1,566.9 2.3 43.2
Kisumu 344.9 35.9
Nandi 2,475.0
Vihiga 82.8
Uasin Gishu 3,407.0 91.5 112.6 35.0
Elgeyo Marakwet 2,835.8 23.7
Kakamega 2,937.8 34.6 40.2 15.2
Siaya 415.0
Trans-Nzoia 2,495.1 19.9 45.6
Bungoma 2,992.0 48.7 59.7
Busia 1,394.8 12.9 15.1
West Pokot 8,254.3 104.4
Turkana 35,159.0 415.2
Totals 133,313.2 892.8 1,418.2 615.4

5.1.2 Methodology

To achieve its objectives, this baseline study involves an initial review

of literature and recent secondary data to identify and describe the
nature of the corridor under its three main subjects of focus. A second
in-depth review of literature and data was then performed to describe
trends within the NEC whilst identifying environmental and social
(E&S) features of interest. These features were then screened on the
basis of their sensitivity with respect to the potential impact of the MP

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-2
 on them. The features are then classified as constraints in any of the
three categories of High, Moderate or Low explained in Table 5.2
Constructability of the MP’s subsequent projects against these features
is also considered in this classification.

The methods used by this study are informed by GIIP guidelines such
as those of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), JICA and the
World Bank in addition to similar practices used in routing risk
assessment studies.

Table 5.2 Constraint Classification Criteria

Constraint Description
Class
Low A Low Constraint is one which is worth considering but does
not require additional mitigation measures beyond those
normally employed for infrastructure projects under normal
conditions.
Moderate A Moderate Constraint is one which definitely requires
mitigation measures to prevent impacts even under normal
conditions. It may have pre-determined mitigation measures
from characteristic practices in the infrastructure sector but
without these measures, the cost (social, legal, environmental
and financial) will be significant. The key difference between it
and High Constraints is the magnitude of the impact for a
Moderate Constraint is lower and under normal conditions
acceptable with mitigation.
High A High Constraint is one which is sensitive or pristine in
nature and should otherwise be avoided through re-routing or
refinement. They are features which impacts would result in
legal, social, environmental and financial costs on the MP that
would undercut its benefits. They are features upon which the
acceptability of impacts is low to negligible whilst the
magnitude of impact is higher than Moderate Constraints.

A table of identified constraints as well as the constraints maps are

included in Annex D.

5.1.3 Data Sources

The receptive baseline environment of the NEC is described through a

review of literature and analysis of secondary data. This description is
focussed on the southern region of Kenya and then more specifically on
the NEC and the intersected counties. This baseline study not only
focusses on describing the receptive environment but importantly it
identifies and classifies potential constraints in the NEC.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-3
 Classification of these constraints was thus based on findings and
developments of works from: United National Environment Program
(UNEP), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Food
and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO),
Conservation International and United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) amongst other organisations.
Close attention is paid to good practice advocated by GIIPs and
regulations from institutions such as: JICA, World Bank, IFC, United
Nations Environment Program Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), NEMA
(Kenya) and the Equator Principles. By answering to the requirements
of these GIIPs this study provides knowledge that informs decisions of
the SEA.

5.2 GENERAL SETTING

The study area, the NEC, is Kenya’s main economic corridor that
stretches from Mombasa to Kenya’s western border in Busia County
and north-western border with South Sudan. The NEC Main Route and
Eldoret-Nadapal-Juba Sub-Route occupy an area of 136,998.56 km2,
within 31 counties, comprising of both terrestrial and marine regions.
The climate of this area is influenced by five main factors which are:
The Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), monsoons, latitude,
topography and inland lakes. The NEC experiences a bi-modal system
of rainfall wherein rainfall ranges from 42 mm to 302 mm during the
long rains and 26 mm to 220 mm during the short rains. Influenced by
the aforementioned five factors, the highlands in the NEC generally
experience a cooler climate as compared to low-lying areas. On the
other hand, air quality is generally poorer in densely populated areas
and within the neighbourhoods of industries.

The geomorphology of the NEC is similar to the rest of country which

has been part of the African continent since Mesozoic times during
which the processes that occurred shaped the country’s geology. The
NEC is covered with the following rock classes: metamorphic rocks
25.8%, igneous rocks 34.6%, sedimentary rocks 13.8% and
unconsolidated rocks 25.4%. The remaining 0.3% are water bodies.
Analogous to the rest of Kenya, soils in the NEC vary due to
topography, amount of rainfall and parent material. 74.4% of the NEC
is covered by clay soils, 5.4% by sandy soils and 19.3% by loams. The
remaining 0.9% is unclassified or water.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-4
Hydrologically, the NEC intersects all of Kenya’s five drainage basins
as follows in terms of percentage area: 16.0% Lake Victoria Basin, 46.0%
Rift Valley Basin, 34.1% Athi River and Coast Basin, 3.4% Tana River
Basin and 0.6% Ewaso Ng’iro Basin. As a result, four of Kenya’s five
main water towers are traversed by the NEC. These are Aberdares,
Cherangani Hills, Mau Complex and Mt Elgon. Hydrogeologically, the
NEC is located in regions with high and moderate likelihood of
groundwater in its central and western sections.

In the marine environment, it is observed that Kenya has a narrow

continental shelf which drops below 200 m within less than 4 km from
the coast. Semi-diurnal tides are also experienced most of the year in
the country whereas four coastal currents feature in Kenya’s coast.
These currents are South Equatorial Current (SEC), East African Coastal
Current (EACC), Equatorial Counter Current (ECC), and Somali
Current (SC). The monsoon season also influences sea surface
temperature (SST) and salinity in Kenya’s coast.

With respect to natural hazards, The International Disaster Database

(EM-DAT) shows hydro meteorological hazards to be the most
common hazards in Kenya. Prevailing poverty levels predispose the
country’s population to vulnerability. The Index for Risk Management
(INFORM) assesses Kenya’s humanitarian and disaster risk profile to a
value of 6.2, ranking the country 16 out of 191 countries.

As mentioned, the NEC includes intersects both the terrestrial and

marine eco-regions. It traverses all ecosystems therein except for the
glacial ecosystem that is only found at the summit of Mt Kenya. In this
respect, the NEC also includes all 7 humidity zones of Kenya’s Agro-
Ecological Zones.

The main land cover classes in the NEC’s terrestrial area in 2012 were
grassland, cropland/natural vegetation mosaic, woody savannas and
savannas which occupied 39.77%, 23.97%, 10.67% and 9.79% of the area
respectively. Deciduous and evergreen needleleaf forests occupied
0.0014% of the area whilst permanent wetlands, water, croplands,
evergreen broadleaf forests, and urban and built up areas occupied
0.23%, 4.08%, 3.59%, 3.4% and 0.36% of the area respectively.

Due to its extent, the NEC covers an area that supports numerous
species including several that are at risk globally according to IUCN’s
Red List. In both eco-regions, a total of 166 species, are identified to be
at risk, divided amongst the threatened assessment categories as
follows: 61 NT, 56 VU, 31 EN and 18 CR. The NEC is thus rich in
species diversity and it includes national and international designated

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-5
 and sensitive areas with the following typologies: Protected Areas
(PAs), Wetlands and Ramsar Sites, UNESCO World Heritage Sites
(WHS), UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserves (MAB), Important Bird
Areas (IBAs) and Endemic Bird Areas (EBAs), Alliance for Zero
Extinction Sites (AZE), Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot
(EAM), Flyways, Corals, Sandy Beaches, Sea Turtle Nesting Sites and
Transboundary Resources.

5.3 PHYSICAL BASELINE

5.3.1 Climate and Air Quality

The climate of the NEC is influenced by the five factors explained

below in a similar manner as the rest of Kenya:

5.3.1.1 Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)

The movement of the ITCZ southwards between October and

December, and northwards between March and May results in a bi-
modal rainfall system. The rainfall that falls during the former period
are termed as the ‘short rains’ and during the latter the ‘long rains’1.

5.3.1.2 Monsoon Winds

The climate of the coastal belt (Kilifi, Kwale and Mombasa Counties) is
influenced by the monsoons whereby:

 November - early March: The weather at the Kenyan coast is

dominated by the Northeast Monsoon (Kaskazi) which is
comparatively dry. This period is characterized by warm
temperatures (mean 28.4 ⁰C, max 31-32 ⁰C), shorter and lighter rains
(8 to 84 mm/month), calm seas and steady light winds (<0.25 m/s)2.

 March - April: The wind blows in an east-to-south-easterly direction

with strong incursions of maritime air from the Indian Ocean
causing heavy rains inland2.

 May - August: The Southeast Monsoon (Kusi) influence gradually

sets in and the weather becomes more stable with overcast skies and
comparatively cooler temperatures. This period is characterized by

1 McSweeney C. et al (n.d). UNDP Climate Change Country Profiles. Kenya. Retrieved February
15, 2016 from http://www.geog.ox.ac.uk/research/climate/projects/undp-
cp/UNDP_reports/Kenya/Kenya.lowres.report.pdf
2 UNEP, (1998). East Africa Atlas of Coastal Resources.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-6
 cool temperatures (mean 26.4ºC, max 30ºC), prolonged and heavier
rains (55 to 272 mm/month), rougher seas and strong winds (0.5 to
0.75 m/s)2.

 September - November: The Northeast Monsoon gradually re-

establishes itself and by December the Northeast Monsoon is
dominant once again2.

5.3.1.3 Latitude

This influences the timing of rainfall minima and maxima by

determining the amount of sunlight a place receives1. Higher latitudes
receive less sunlight as compared to lower latitudes. As a result, higher
latitudes receive less rainfall compared to regions closer to the equator
or lower latitudes.

5.3.1.4 Topography

Kenya is separated into four distinct climatic zones based on

topography. These are explained as follows:

 Central Highlands and Rift Valley: This region receives high annual
rainfall in the mountains (up to 3,000 mm). This rain feeds the lakes
of the Rift Valley. Average daytime temperatures in Nairobi
(altitude 1,661 m) which is in this region, are between 21-26 °C. NEC
Counties in this region include: Uasin Gishu, Kericho, Baringo,
Nakuru, Nyandarua, Nairobi and the north-western regions of
Kajiado.

 Western Kenya: This region is hot and wet throughout the year,
with annual rainfall over 1,000 mm and average daytime
temperatures in areas such as Kisumu ranging between 27-29 °C.
NEC Counties located here are Kakamega, Busia and Bungoma.

 Northern and Eastern Kenya: Here the land is hot and arid, with
vast ‘lake’ beds/deserts of lava, sand, salt and soda. Average
annual rainfall is less than 510 mm and daytime temperatures are
mostly between 30 and 40 °C, soaring to 39 °C in some desert areas.
NEC Counties in this region include Central and South Eastern
regions of Kajiado, Machakos, Makueni and western regions of Taita
Taveta.

1 Raphael W. (n.d). Some Aspects of the Geography of Kenya.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-7
 Coastal Belt: Kenya’s beaches are hot and humid but tempered with
cooling sea breezes. A narrow plain of land along the coast is
suitable for crops such as fruits, nuts and cotton, before the terrain
becomes semi-desert. Annual rainfall is usually over 1,000mm and
daytime temperatures in Mombasa average 28-31°C. NEC Counties
in this region are Kwale, Kilifi, Mombasa and the eastern regions of
Taita Taveta.

5.3.1.5 Inland Lakes

These provide inland sources of moisture influencing humidity and

rainfall patterns. Inland lakes located within the NEC include Lakes
Nakuru, Elementaita and Naivasha.

Using humidity and temperature, Sombroek et al. (1982) sub-

distinguished Kenya’s land mass into Agro-Climatic Zones (ACZs).
Each ACZ is assigned a double digit numerical value achieved by
combining the index of moisture and temperature zones. Moisture
availability zones comprise of the following seven zones according to
relative humidity: (I) >80-Humid, (II) 65-80-Sub-humid, (III) 50-65-
Semi-humid, (IV) 40-50-Semi-humid to Semi-arid, (V) 25-40-Semi-arid,
(VI) 15-25-Arid and (VII) <15-Very arid. On the other hand,
temperature zones comprise the following nine zones in accordance to
their temperature ranges: (1) 24-30, (2) 22-24, (3) 20-22, (4) 18-20, (5) 16-
18, (6) 14-16, (7) 12-14, (8) 10-12 and (9) <10.

Figure 5.1 shows the ACZs zones found within the NEC.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-8
Figure 5.1 ACZs of the NEC

Source: ILRI, (2007)1.

5.3.1.6 Precipitation

Kenya mostly experiences a warm climate throughout the year whereas

80% of the country is considered to be Arid and Semi-Arid Lands
(ASALs). Average monthly rainfall in the NEC ranges from 42 mm to
302 mm during the long rains and 26 mm to 220 mm during the short
rains. This study calculated the mean of average monthly rainfall
received in the headquarters of the NEC Counties. It elucidated that
Kakamega County with a mean of 164 mm of rainfall per month is the
wettest county whilst Kajiado is the driest with a mean of 42 mm per
month. Figure 5.2 illustrates the trend in average monthly rainfall
amongst the NEC Counties.

1ILRI, (2007). Agro-Climatic Zones of Kenya. ESRI ArcGIS Shapefile. Adopted from Sombroek
at al. (1982).

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-9
Figure 5.2 Average Monthly Rainfall (mm) in the NEC Counties

Average Monthly Rainfall

350
300
250
Rainfall (mm) 200
150
100
50
0
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Baringo Bungoma Busia

Kajiado Kakamega Kericho
Kwale Nakuru Nyandarua
Taita/Taveta Uasin Gishu Mombasa
Kilifi Makueni Nairobi
Machakos Kiambu TransNzoia
Nandi Kisumu Siaya
Bomet Narok Laikipia
Kirinyaga Kitui Elgeyo Marakwet
Vihiga Muranga Turkana
West Pokot

Source: www.clima-temps.org, (2016)1.

The spatial distribution of average annual rainfall further confirms the

trends amongst the counties in Figure 5.3. It is seen that the counties in
the highlands and western region receive the most rainfall in the NEC.

1 www.clima-temps.org, (2016). Rainfall Data on Kenya Cities.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-10
Figure 5.3 Average Annual Rainfall (mm) in the NEC

5.3.1.7 Temperature

Temperature is similarly influenced by the bi-modal system of rainfall

in Kenya (NEC included). The hottest month is February, with
temperatures ranging between 13 °C and 28 °C, and the coolest is July,
with temperatures between 11 °C and 23 °C. Kenya experiences a
tropical climate that is hot and humid at the coast, temperate inland
and very dry in the north and northeast regions of the country.

Based on calculated means of monthly average temperatures, Mombasa

is identified to be the hottest county amongst the NEC Counties
experiencing an average monthly temperature of 27 ⁰C per month
whilst Nyandarua is the coolest experiencing 14 ⁰C on average per
month. This is attributed to topographic nature whereby Mombasa is a
low-lying (almost entirely at sea-level) and coastal whilst Nyandarua is
located within the central highlands. Trends in average monthly
temperatures in the NEC Counties are illustrated in Figure 5.4.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-11
Figure 5.4 Average Monthly Temperature in the NEC Counties

Average Monthly Temperature

30

Temperature (Degrees Celcius)

25

20

15

10
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Baringo Bungoma Busia

Kajiado Kakamega Kericho
Kwale Nakuru Nyandarua
Taita/Taveta Uasin Gishu Mombasa
Kilifi Makueni Nairobi
Machakos Kiambu TransNzoia
Nandi Kisumu Siaya
Bomet Narok Laikipia
Kirinyaga Kitui Elgeyo Marakwet
Vihiga Muranga Turkana
West Pokot

Source: clima-temps.org, (2016)1.

5.3.1.8 Air Quality

Kenya is yet to establish a central national baseline of air quality and

this study observes that most air quality studies in the country have, at
best, been local in scope. Majority of these studies focus on urban areas
which tend to have poorer air quality as compared to rural areas since
they are often population and economic centres. Moreover, within
urban areas it has been documented that low income areas and
informal settlements often have lower air quality than their higher
income counterparts. This can be attributed to poor planning, high
population densities, poverty, poor energy diet (dependence on

1 www.clima-temps.org, (2016). Temperature Data on Kenya Cities.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-12
 firewood and charcoal), and lack of services and adequate
infrastructure.

Common sources of air pollutants in Kenya include: industrial activities

(manufacturing, construction and processing industries), fossil fuel
engines (including vehicles), land use changes, improper waste disposal
and use of fuelwood and charcoal. The NEC links Kenya’s economic
belt thus it has majority of the country’s population and industries. It
was estimated that Kenya produced at least 59.1 metric tons of
emissions in 2010. Agriculture, forestry, energy demand and
transportation were the main sources of these emissions as shown in
Figure 5.5.

Figure 5.5 Emissions per Sector in Kenya 2010

Emissions per Sector 2010

25
20.5
19.1
20
Metric Tons

15

9.1
10
6.1
5
2.1 2.1
0.1
0
Industrial Agriculture Forestry Energy Transport Electricity Waste
Process Demand

Source: NEMA, (2014)1.

The NEC intersects several industries and industrial zones which are
potential point sources of air pollution. There is an average of 28
manufacturing industries per county amongst the NEC Counties. Those
counties with large urban areas such as Nairobi, Mombasa, Uasin Gishu
and Nakuru host majority of industries as shown in Figure 5.4. Other
point sources include fossil fuel generators and land use changes (land
conversion). Mobile sources include motor vehicles, trains and aero
planes.

1NEMA, (2014). Improving Ambient Air Quality in Urban Centers of Kenya. Presentation by Dr
Geoffrey Wahungu.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-13
Figure 5.6 Manufacturing Industries in the NEC Counties

NEC Counties Manufacturing Industries

450
400
350
300
Industries

250
200
150
100
50
0
Busia

Kwale
Bomet

Siaya
Kitui

Machakos
Laikipia

Nyandarua

Vihiga
Baringo

Elgeyo Marakwet

Kisumu

Murang'a
Nairobi

Nyeri
Nakuru
Kericho

Trans-Nzoia
Mombasa

Nandi
Narok
Kajiado
Kakamega

Kiambu
Kilifi

Makueni
Bungoma

Taita Taveta

Uasin Gishu
Source: KNBS, (2013)1.

Air pollution studies in different areas in the NEC, biased on criteria

pollutants, have in some cases found prevailing levels higher than
recommended levels according to WHO standards. Studies which have
documented levels of air pollutants in some of the nodes of the NEC are
discussed below. Whilst this discussion is not extensive it seeks to give
an indication of documented levels and/or impacts of air pollution and
quality in the NEC:

 Nakuru: Wangari S. et al (2014) sampled rooftops in 34 locations in

the Lake Nakuru Basin for heavy metals (Pb, Ni, Zn, Fe and Cr). The
study reveals that distribution of these pollutants is similar within
the entire basin and Fe was the most deposited heavy metal
followed by Zn, Cr and Pb. Ni concentration were lower than
detection limits. The study points that the levels detected were not
at alarming levels1.

 Nairobi: Galcano C. and Kariuki L. (2001) sampled TSP in Nairobi

from 11 locations (industrial, commercial and residential areas) to
create an air quality map using Thiessen Polygons. The study
identifies that most regions in its study area have higher TSP
concentrations than WHO recommendations2.

1 Wangari S. (2014). Assessment of Heavy Metals in Rooftop dust around Lake Nakuru Basin,
Kenya. Research Journal of Chemical Sciences. Vol. 4(11), 13-17, November (2014).
2 Galcano C and Kariuki L (2001). Mapping and Analysis of Air Pollution in Nairobi, Kenya.

International Conference on Spatial Information for Sustainable Development Nairobi, Kenya

2–5 October 2001.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-14
 Patrick L et al., (2011) found that mean daytime concentrations of
PM2.5 from traffic in Nairobi ranged from 10.7 in the rural
background areas to 98.1 µg/m3 on the sidewalks of the central
business district (CBD)1. These values exceed the WHO
recommendation of 25 µg/m3. This can be expected at other urban
areas in the NEC.

 Eldoret: Donna A et al. (2015) reported that rapid urbanization in

Eldoret town has contributed to increased air pollution. They
attribute this to increased population and economic activity which
leads to increased vehicular traffic, land use changes and expansion
of manufacturing activities. The authors indicate that the town has
also experienced increases in respiratory and cardiovascular
diseases as well as childhood asthma2. Apart from vehicular traffic
and dust during the dry season smoke (emissions) from industries
have been identified as a key source of air pollution in Eldoret3.

 Webuye (Bungoma County): During Webuye Pan Paper mill’s

operational period, it was considered to be one of Kenya’s largest air
polluters. The mill emitted significant quantities of SOx creating
persistent nuisances and acid rain which damaged neighbouring
properties simultaneously affecting farming activities in its
neighbourhood. Annual losses caused by air pollution from the mill
were estimated to a value of USD 38 million by one study4.
However, the closure of the mill also had socioeconomic impacts to
the town5.

 Athi River (Kajiado County): Zablon W. et al (2015) collected air

samples from three sites in Athi River Township over a one-week
period using gas samplers and analysers in a Mobile Air Laboratory.
In their findings they elucidate that the PMx concentration was
generally high in the morning and late evening. Furthermore, the
mean 24-hour concentration of PM2.5 was 30.74 µg/m3 which is
excess of WHO recommendation of 25 µg/m3. On the other hand,
they found the concentration of Black Carbon to range from

1 Patrick K. et al (2011). Traffic Impacts on PM2.5 Air Quality in Nairobi, Kenya. Elsevier.
Environmental Science and Policy. 2011 June; 14(4): 369–378.
2 Donna A et al (2015). Air Quality and Health Impacts: A novel approach to an international

cooperative monitoring project in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. American Meteorological

Society.
3 Job K. et al (2014). Urban Environmental Planning and Development Control of Medium Sized

Towns in Kenya. A Case of Eldoret Municipality. Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and
Management Sciences (JETEMS) 5(3):351-363.
4 CPK (2000) Pollution from Panpaper factory, A research report by the Church of the Province

of Kenya.
5 Eunice O. et al (2014). Industrial Air Pollution in Rural Kenya: Community Awareness, Risk

Perception and Associations Between Risk Variables. BMC Public Health 2014, 14:377.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-15
 medium to extremely high whereas the concentrations of N, S and H
were generally low. These findings are attributed to industrial
activities in the Athi River region1.

 Mombasa (Mombasa County): AfDB (2014) investigated air quality

in a 40 km long corridor along the Mombasa-Mariakani A109 road.
The study noted that while PMx concentrations were below WHO
recommended limits, sections with high population densities and
economic activities registered high concentrations. A maximum
concentration of 7.3 mg/m3 was registered in the Miritini area.
Concentrations of CO2 (the dominant pollutant) followed the same
trend with a maximum value of 200 mg/l observed in Kokotoni. SO2
concentrations were low in the study area, ranging between 0.01 and
0.14 mg/l. CO, VOCs and NOx were all below detection limits2.

It is reported that residents in Changamwe suffer from dust stirred

up by container trucks and local emission sources include the
refinery, oil-fired power plant and fires at the landfill site3.

 Bamburi (Kilifi County): Mining of limestone and manufacture of

cement are the major source of air pollutants (PMx, NOx, CO2 and
SOx) in this region. It has been estimated the production standards
in this area emit 650g of CO2, 1,566 g of N2 and 262g of O2 per kg of
cement produced4.

 Olkaria (Nakuru County): Kenya’s geothermal power plants are

located in this region. Such power plants are known to be sources of
H2S which WHO recommends should not exceed 0.1 ppm in a 24-
hour average concentration. Cornelius J. (2015) modelled H2S
dispersion from three development scenarios/stages at Olkaria
using the CALMET/CALPUFF model. The study postulates that an
odour detectable concentration can be expected up to 10 km from
the source from a 1-hour average concentration. For the 24-hour
average concentration, the study postulates that only 0.03 ppm can

1 Zablon W. et al (2015). Ambient Air Quality Monitoring and Audit over Athi River Township,
Kenya. International Journal of Scientific Research in Environmental Sciences, 3(8), pp. 0291-
0301, 2015.
2 AfDB (2014). Mombasa–Mariakani Road Upgrading Project Environmental and Social Impact

Assessment (ESIA) Summary.

3 JICA (n.d). Summary of the Preliminary Study for Grant Aid Project (draft). Retrieved

February 22, 2016 from

http://www.jica.go.jp/english/our_work/social_environmental/archive/grantaid/pdf/kenya
4_01.pdf
4 LaFarge (2008). Managing Emissions from industrial and Mining Sources Dust Emissions from

Cement Manufacturing Plant. Presentation by Alfred Wafua.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-16
 be expected in the residential and commercial areas in the
neighbourhood of Olkaria1.

Currently, Kenya is still in the process of establishing regulations in air

quality management. Prevailing regulations (EMCA) propose the
adoption of WHO standards. However, this situation is deemed as a
gap in view of the presence of numerous potential sources of air
pollution in the NEC. In addition, some emissions have global warming
potentials. Key regulations which seek to limit emissions include: Waste
Management Regulations (2006), Waste Tyre Regulations (2014), OSHA,
EMCA, Climate Change Act (2014) and Vehicular Emission Standards
(KS 1515).

Box 5.1 Constraints – Climate and Air Quality

Under this topic, this study identifies constraints to include areas that
are prone to hydrometeorological hazards. These are discussed in
Section 5.3.6

5.3.2 Topography

Volcanic activity and the Great Rift Valley system shaped Kenya’s
topography. The country’s highlands are located to the west of the Rift
Valley with their highest point being Mt Kenya’s summit at 5,199 m asl.
In the eastern region are the lowlands whose altitude decreases to sea
level at the coast1. The country has the following six distinct
physiographic regions which are traversed by the NEC:

1. Coastal belt and plains;

2. Coastal Hinterlands;
3. Foreland Plateau;
4. Highlands includes Rift Valley;
5. Nyanza Low Plateau, and
6. Northern Plain Lands1.

On an E-W profile the MR commences in Mombasa at an altitude of

approx. 21 m asl in region #1 above. It steadily rises 173 km to altitude
of 693 m asl in Taita Taveta County as it traverses the Coastal
Hinterlands. From here its next 24 km drops gently to an altitude of 466
m before rising gradually to an eventual altitude of 1,649 m over a
distance of 202 km through the counties of Makueni and Kajiado in the

1Cornelius J. (2015). Air Quality Assessment for Development Options at Olkaria Geothermal
Field in Kenya. Proceedings World Geothermal Congress 2015. Melbourne, Australia, 19-25
April 2015.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-17
 Foreland Plateau. In the western region of Makueni County the altitude
generally plateaus over a distance about 30 km prior to dropping to
gently to 1,507 m asl within 19 km. The elevation then rises as the MR
crosses into Machakos, Nairobi and Kiambu Counties where it crosses
the Kikuyu escarpment to reach 2,685 m.

As the MR traverses the Rift Valley its altitude reduces steeply to 1,498
m at the floor of the graben. The altitude oscillates between 2,028 and
1,901 m asl over a distance of 92 km within the floor of the graben in
Nakuru and Nyandarua Counties. The MR the crosses the Mau
escarpment where it rises to highest altitude of 2,685 m at 703 km from
its starting point in Mombasa. The remaining 195 km of the MR
descends gradually to an eventual altitude of 1,153 m at the Kenya-
Uganda border as the route traverses from Nakuru through Kericho,
Uasin Gishu, Kakamega, Bungoma and eventually Busia. Figure 5.7
illustrates this East to West (E-W) elevation profile based on a Digital
Elevation Model (DEM) with a resolution of 30 m, while Figure 5.8
displays that of the Eldoret-Nadapal-Juba Sub-Route on a South to
North (S-N) profile.

Figure 5.7 MR E-W Elevation Profile along the Main Route of the NEC

MR E-W Elevation Profile

3000

2500
Altitude (m asl)

2000

1500

1000

500

0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900
Distance (km)

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-18
Figure 5.8 Eldoret-Nadapal-Juba Sub-Route S-N Elevation Profile

SR S-N Elevation Profile

2500

2000

Altitude (m asl) 1500

1000

500

0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600
Distance (Km)

Figure 5.9 shows the elevation of the NEC through a DEM developed
with data from the SRTM satellite instrument.

Figure 5.9 NEC Elevation

Source: NASA LP DAAC, (2016)1.

1NASA Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center (LP DAAC), (2016). SRTM.
USGS/Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-19
Box 5.2 Constraints – Topography

Constraints identified in topography include steep slopes and high

peaks (See Figure 5.12). These areas are construction constraints in
which the constructability of any infrastructure is low or accessibility to
those areas is poor. Volcanic peaks are identified and discussed further
in Section 5.3.3 under volcanism.

5.3.3 Geological Characterisations

5.3.3.1 Geomorphology

The geomorphology of the NEC is similar to the rest of country which

has been part of the African continent since Mesozoic times during
which the processes that occurred shaped the country’s geology. As a
result of those processes, marine transgressions formed during the
Jurassic and Cretaceous periods can be found up to 150 km inland
(Taita Taveta County). Regional uplift of up to 600 m in Central Kenya
is associated with the Tertiary period that followed and marked the
beginning of the present Cenozoic era. Great volcanic activities then
followed and continued into the Quaternary period. This resulted in the
volcanic rocks, widely found in the country, covering one third of the
country’s surface.

Extensive areas of the Pre-Cambrian shield were overlaid by lava and

Quaternary sediments as the Rift Valley formed. In the Pleistocene
period (earlier stages of the Quaternary period) the immediate forebear
of other modern undulates were developed. Many landscapes were
borne over these millions of years. The Nyanzian system is where the
Pre-Cambrian geological formations fall. The Nyanzian shield and the
metamorphism involved are found in the early Pre-Cambrian formation
which date back about 3 trillion years ago. The associated rocks are
well-developed around Lake Victoria where they are associated with
intrusive gold-bearing granites.

Banded ironstones with quartzite, which are mainly developed east of

Lake Victoria, are from the Nyanzian system. These have undergone
slight metamorphism as a result of intense folding and granitic
batholithic intrusions. Rocks of the Karroo system noted for their fossil
beds and coal-bearing strata are the record of Paleozoic and lower
Mesozoic times in Kenya. Lake and river deposits from Pleistocene
times and more recent alluvial and swamp deposits are the Quaternary
sediments which are mostly of terrestrial origin. These are distributed
in the low lands of Eastern Kenya. Large sectors of Northern and
Central Kenya, extending into Tanzania are covered by Tertiary to

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-20
 Recent volcanic rocks which were products of some of the tectonic
disturbances that include the Great Rift Valley.

In terms of percentage area, the NEC main route is covered with the
following rock classes: metamorphic rocks 25.8%, igneous rocks 34.6%,
sedimentary rocks 13.8% and unconsolidated rocks 25.4%. The
remaining 0.3% are water bodies. The remaining 0.3% are water bodies.
Figure 5.10 shows the spatial distribution of the rock groups in the NEC.

Figure 5.10 Lithological Groups of the NEC

Intersection of the NEC with the Great Rift Valley is the major factor
behind the presence of faults in the NEC. These faults were caused due
to the formation of the grabens (including Kavirondo) on whose
escarpments they are predominantly located (see Box 5.3 for the
constraints).

5.3.3.2 Soils

5.3.3.2.1 Soil Characteristics

Soils vary in Kenya due to topography, amount of rainfall and parent

material. Certain distinctions can however be made within the NEC.
Acrisols and cambisols, and their mixtures are found in the western
region of Kenya which includes the counties of Busia, Vihiga, Siaya,
Uasin Gishu, Kakamega, Nandi and Kericho. Highly weathered and
leached sils with accumulations of iron and aluminium oxides are

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-21
 exhibited in this western region. Andisols characterize the Rift Valley
region which includes Nakuru, Kericho, Uasin Gishu and Baringo.

On the other hand, Central Kenya (Nyandarua, Kiambu, Nairobi and

part of Kajiado) is overlain with nitosols and andosols which are young
and of volcanic origin. Soils in the ASALs (Machakos, Makueni, Kajiado
and Taita Taveta) include the vertisols, gleysols and phaeozems. They
are characterized with pockets of sodicity and salinity, low fertility and
vulnerability to erosion. Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale counties exhibit
coastal soils which are coarse textured and ow in organic matter. The
common types of these coastal soils are arenosols, luvisols and acrisols.
Whilst soil salinity is widespread in the country it is found in pockets in
Taita Taveta.

With respect to soil textures, the NEC main route is overlain by clays,
loams and sandy soils mainly at the coast. Sandy soils create a
constructability challenge of water ingress and erosion requiring soil
management mitigation measures. On the other hand, clay soils expand
on infiltration of water and also require to be accommodated on
construction. 74.4% of the NEC is covered by clay soils, 5.4% by sandy
soils and 19.3% by loams. The remaining 0.9% is unclassified or water.
Figure 5.11 shows the distribution of these soils textures in the NEC.

Figure 5.11 Soil Textures of the NEC

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-22
5.3.3.3 Tectonic Setting

Most of the NEC is located within the Kenya Dome which overlies the
Nubian (African) Plate covering an area of about 1,000 km wide. The
NEC traverses the Eastern Branch of the Rift Valley in the region where
the Somalia Plate is pulling away from the Nubian and Arabian plate.
This branch bisects the country north to south and splits further into
three rift arms. The main rift is formed by two of these arms whilst the
third (Kavirondo) is a subdued graben west of the dome in Nandi,
Kericho and Nakuru1. The eastern section of the plate forms a smaller
segment underlying the NEC in the South East (Mombasa, Taita Taveta,
Kwale and Kilifi Counties). This region lies in the Somalia plate.

5.3.3.4 Volcanism

Kenya’s volcanic activity is associated with the East African Rift System
(EARS) which covers an area extending up to 200 km on each of its
flanks concentrated around the Kenya Dome. Two volcanism regions
are distinguished in Kenya as follows: the northern half of the Kenya
Rift Valley which began at 30 Million years ago (Ma), and the southern
half which began at 15 Ma. Volcanic rock in the country range from
acidic to basic with the majority being alkaline (mildly alkaline, alkali
basalt-trachyte series to strongly alkaline) under saturated nephelinites
and phonolites2.

Kenya has five volcanic provinces within the two aforementioned

regions. These include: Northern Rift (Turkana), Central Rift Valley,
West of Rift Valley, Southern Rift (Kenya Dome) and east of Rift Valley.
These regions contain 24 volcanoes (volcanic peaks) and those located
within the NEC are identified in Table 5.3 This study considers these
peaks as constraints since they lower constructability of infrastructure
whilst posing access challenges due to steep and or rugged slopes. They
also have a low risk of eruption since most are extinct.

1Alex G. and James W., (n.d). East Africa's Great Rift Valley: A Complex Rift System.
2Kristján S., (2008). East African Rift System - An Overview. Presented at Short Course III on
Exploration for Geothermal Resources, organized by UNU-GTP and KenGen, at Lake Naivasha,
Kenya, October 24 - November 17, 2008.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-23
Table 5.3 Volcanic Peaks in the NEC

Name Altitude (m asl) Last Eruption1 County

Olkaria 2,434 1770 Nakuru, Narok
Chyulu Hills 2,188 1855 Makueni, Kajiado,
Taita Taveta
Longonot 2,776 1863 Nakuru
Menengai 2,278 6050 BC Nakuru
Elementaita Badlands 2,126 Holocene Nakuru
Ol Doinyo Eburru 2,856 Not known Nakuru
Suswa 2,356 Not known Kajiado, Narok
Mt Elgon 4,321 Not known Bungoma, Trans
Nzoia

Out of the eight volcanic peaks identified within the NEC, only Mt
Elgon and Chyulu Hills are not located along the Rift Valley. This
confirms the influence of the Rift on volcanism in the NEC. The location
of these peaks is shown in Figure 5.12 below.

Figure 5.12 Volcanic Peaks in the NEC

Source: Volcanoes Live, (2008)1.

1Volcanoes Live, (2008). Volcanoes of Kenya. Retrieved November 18, 2014 from
www.volcanoeslive.com.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-24
5.3.3.5 Seismicity

Whilst Kenya experiences low seismic activity, it remains vulnerable

due to the EARS which runs through the West of the country and
through the Davie fracture zone. The Great Rift Valley is considered to
be one of the most quake prone areas in the world which consequently
makes areas in Kenya such as the Nyanza basin prone to earthquakes.
Low magnitude earthquake events are common along the Kenya Rift
Valley due to the rift’s slow divergent movements and hydrothermal
processes within the geothermal fields (Olkaria – Nakuru). This implies
slow but continuous radiation of seismic energy which relieves stress in
the subsurface plates2,1.

In general, Kenya’s seismicity is characterized by high-frequency low-

magnitude events concentrated along the rift axes which intersect the
NEC. The country’s seismic character is typical for magmatically active
continental rifts, where igneous material at a shallow depth causes
extensive grid faulting and geothermal activity. The build-up of large
elastic strains is prohibited by thermal overprinting and dike intrusion,
therefore prohibiting the generation of large-magnitude earthquake.

Seismic data suggest that the EARS is a zone of shallow earthquakes

(average focal depth 20 km). The epicentres are shallowest in afar,
deepest in the southern part of the rift system. Focal mechanism
studies show dominantly normal faulting (Kebede and Kulhanek (1991)
as cited in Kristján S., (2008); Stamps et al. (2008) Kristján S., (2008)).
The Eastern Rift is less active seismically than the Western Rift where
they run parallel. In the Eastern Rift seismic activity seems to be more
concentrated in swarms.

This study considers faults and past earthquake epicentres as

constraints due to them being geologically active and their movement
can damage infrastructure. Earthquakes are discussed in Section 5.3.6 of
this Chapter under natural hazards.

1Robert L. et al, (1993). The distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes along the East African
Rift system.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-25
Box 5.3 Constraints - Geological Characterisations

Constraints identified in this topic include the following features:

 Fault movement can damage infrastructure such as roads, railways,

water conveyance infrastructure and pipelines. Engineering
mitigation measures will be required where they can’t be avoided.
 Volcanic peaks lower infrastructure constructability and provide
access challenges where they are located. Although most are extinct,
their presence creates a low risk of eruption.
 Areas prone to soil erosion will require soil management measures
during construction and operation of infrastructure to prevent soil
erosion. These areas are identified in Section 5.3.65.3.6.

5.3.4 Hydrology and Hydrogeology

5.3.4.1 Surface Hydrology

The Great Rift Valley bisects Kenya on a N-S axis into two regions
thereby influencing the extent of the country’s drainage basins. The
NEC intersects all of the country’s five drainage basins which are
described herein:

 Lake (L) Victoria Basin: Covers ~8% of Kenya land area but
provides up to 54% of the country’s freshwater. The main outflow
from the basin is through River (R) Nile to its north in Uganda. Its
inflows from the Kenyan catchment include Rivers Sio, Nzoia, Yala,
Nyando, Sondu Miriu, North Awach, South Awach and Gucha-
Migori. Other inflows outside of Kenya’s catchment is R Akagera
whose source is in Rwanda1.

 Rift Valley Basin: Covers an area of approx. 130,452 km2

comprising of a number of closed basins. It includes the basins
which discharge into L Turkana in the north through Rivers
Turkwel and Kerio as well as basins draining into L Natron in the
south through R Ewaso Ng’iro South. Almost all major lakes in
Kenya are located in this basin such as Baringo, Bogoria, Nakuru,
Elementaita, Naivasha, Ol Bolossat and Magadi1. These lakes form
individual basins and the Nakuru, Elementaita and Naivasha are
located within the NEC.

 Athi River and Coast Basin: Stretches over an area of about 67,000
km2 and comprises the southern part of Kenya east of the Rift

1 NEMA (2011). State of the Environment and Outlook Report.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-26
 Valley. It includes the rivers which drain into the Indian Ocean
through R Athi from the southern slopes of the Aberdares Range,
flanks of the Rift Valley and north eastern slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro.
This basin provides water for some of the highly populated urban
areas of the country including Mombasa and Nairobi1.

 Tana River Basin: Measures about 127,000 km2 and drains into the
Indian Ocean from the eastern slopes of the Aberdares range, the
southern slopes of Mt Kenya and the Nyambene hills. This basin
also provides water for populated regions of the country in Central
Kenya and despite 80% of it being located within ASALs it is a
major source of hydropower1.

 Ewaso Ng’iro Basin: Expands over an area of approx. 209,000 km2 in

the northern region of Kenya. It drains the northern slopes of the
Aberdares and Mt Kenya. Rivers in this basin drain into the Lorian
Swamp but on occasion they flow into Somalia1.

Figure 5.13 displays the extent of each of these basins. This study
identifies that the area of the NEC is comprised 16.0% Lake Victoria
Basin, 46.0% Rift Valley Basin, 34.1% Athi River and Coast Basin, 3.4%
Tana River Basin and 0.6% Ewaso Ng’iro Basin.

Figure 5.13 Hydrological Features in the NEC

Table 5.4 further provides summary characteristics of these drainage

basins whilst also identifying the NEC Counties overlapped by each of
them.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-27
Table 5.4 Summary Characteristics of Kenya's Drainage Basins

Surface % of
Surfac Water total
e Abstraction Total water
Annual Water water resource NEC
Area Rainfal (106 Groundwate (106 s NEC Area Major Lakes within the
Basin (Km2) l m3) 106 m3 % r (106 m3) m3) potential Counties (Km2) Rivers NEC
L 46, 229 1,368 11,672 254.3 2.2 116 11,78 54.1 Trans 21,287 Sio, Nzoia, Victoria
Victori 8 Nzoia, Yala,
a Bungoma, Nyando,
Busia, Sondu-
Kakamega, Miriu,
Siaya, North
Kisumu, Awach,
Vihiga, South
Kericho, Awach and
Bomet, Gucha-
Narok, Migori
Nakuru,
Nandi,
Uasin
Gishu and
Elgeyo
Marakwet
Rift 130,45 562 2,784 46.8 1.7 126 2,910 3.4 Elgeyo 61,245 Kerio, Nakuru,
Valley 2 Marakwet, Turkwell Elementaita,
Baringo, Naivasha,
West Ol Bolossat
Pokot,
Turkana,
Nakuru,

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-28
 Surface % of
Surfac Water total
e Abstraction Total water
Annual Water water resource NEC
Area Rainfal (106 Groundwate (106 s NEC Area Major Lakes within the
Basin (Km2) l m3) 106 m3 % r (106 m3) m3) potential Counties (Km2) Rivers NEC
Kajiado,
Narok,
Laikipia,
Nyandarua
, Kiambu
and Nyeri
Athi 66,837 739 1,152 133.1 11. 87 1,239 4.3 Murang’a, 45,367 Athi None
River 6 Nyandarua
, Kiambu,
Nairobi,
Kajiado,
Machakos,
Makueni,
Taita
Taveta,
Kitui, Kilifi,
Mombasa
and Kwale
Tana 126,02 697 3,744 595.4 15. 147 3,891 32.3 Nyeri, 4,571 Tana None
River 6 9 Murang’a
and
Nyandarua
Ewaso 210,22 411 339 42.1 12. 142 481 5.8 Laikipia, 755 Ewaso -
Ng’iro 6 4 Nyandarua Ng’iro
North and Nyeri North
Total 579,77 621 19,691 1,071. 5.4 618 20,30 99.9

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-29
 Surface % of
Surfac Water total
e Abstraction Total water
Annual Water water resource NEC
Area Rainfal (106 Groundwate (106 s NEC Area Major Lakes within the
Basin (Km2) l m3) 106 m3 % r (106 m3) m3) potential Counties (Km2) Rivers NEC
0 7 4 9

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-30
 Rivers in each of these basins are a source of water for domestic,
industrial/commercial and environmental demand. They’re vital to the
socioeconomic wellbeing of the population especially since Kenya is
considered to be water scarce. This study observes that in 2013 Nyeri
had the most permanent rivers amongst the NEC Counties whilst Kilifi
and Mombasa had the least with one and none respectively1,2. The
distribution of permanent rivers in the NEC Counties is shown in Figure
5.14. This data shows that there are an average of 7 permanent rivers
per county amongst these counties.

Figure 5.14 Permanent Rivers in the NEC Counties

Permanent Rivers in the NEC Counties

14
12
10
RIVERS

8
6
4
2
0

Source: KNBS (2013)1.

In each of the five drainage basins are Kenya’s water towers which are
mountains and highlands which provide lowlands with essential
freshwater for different demands. There are five main water towers in
Kenya namely: Aberdares, Cherangani Hills, Mau Complex, Mt Elgon
and Mt Kenya. Of these five water towers only Mt Kenya is not
intersected by the NEC. Jointly, these five water towers provide up to
75% of the country’s renewable water resources3. In addition to these
five water towers there are 24 other smaller water towers spread across
the country. Those which intersect the NEC as shown in Figure 5.15.

1 KNBS (2013). County Profiles Data.

2 Data was not available for Nyandarua County.
3 KWTA (2015). Kenya Water Towers Status Report.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-31
Figure 5.15 Water Towers in the NEC

Table 5.5 identifies the water towers which intersected by the NEC, and
the drainage basins and counties in which they’re located.

Table 5.5 Water Towers in the NEC

Water Drainage Basin County

Towers
Aberdares Athi, Tana River, Ewaso Nyeri, Kiambu, Murang’a and
Ng’iro North and Rift Nyandarua
Valley
Shimba Hills Athi River Kwale
Chyulu Athi River Taita Taveta, Kajiado and Makueni
Kikuyu Athi River and Rift Kiambu, Nyandarua and Nakuru
Escarpment Valley
Enoosupukia Rift Valley Narok, Nakuru
Kipipiri Rift Valley Nyandarua
Nandi Lake Victoria Nandi and Kakamega
Cherangani Lake Victoria and Rift Uasin Gishu and Elgeyo Marakwet
Valley
Mt Elgon Lake Victoria Bungoma and Trans Nzoia
Marmanet Rift Valley and Ewaso Laikipia, Nakuru and Nyandarua
Ng’iro North
Mau Forest Rift Valley and Lake Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Baringo,
Complex Victoria Nakuru, Kericho, Bomet and
Narok
Loima Rift Valley Turkana

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-32
Source: KWTA, (2015) 3.

Being forests in nature these water towers are threatened by a

combination of anthropogenic factors including encroachment, climate
change, degradation, unplanned dams and irrigation projects. These
threats pose a threat to the country’s water security, stability and
surfeit3. They are therefore considered constraints by this study.

5.3.4.2 Hydrogeology

Aquifers in Kenya are linked with the three major rock formations: the
basement metamorphic, intrusive igneous and the quaternary
sedimentary rocks. Volcanic and quaternary formations are particularly
rich in groundwater. However, groundwater potential in the country is
extremely variable, spatially and temporally, in terms of quality and
quantity and in the level of the water table and depth. Recharge rates
vary from as high as 30% of annual rainfall in areas of deep sandy soils,
coral limestone and unconsolidated rock where evapotranspiration
losses are low, to 5% in the ASALs where evapotranspiration losses are
high. Moreover, humid and semi-humid regions exhibit higher
recharge rates1.

The NEC crosses through regions with high and moderate likelihood of
groundwater in its central and western sections as deduced from Figure
5.16. The northern and eastern sections of the corridor interest regions
with less production potential which have fewer areas of moderate or
high likelihood of groundwater production.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-33
Figure 5.16 Groundwater Production Areas of Kenya

Source: ILRI (n.d).1

The NEC traverses the following groundwater basins or regions:

 Nairobi Aquifer Suite (NAS): NAS is a series of multi-layered

aquifers in the volcanic flows rising from the southern Aberdares,
the Kikuyu Escarpment and Ngong Hills and dipping gently
eastward into the pre-Tertiary Athi Lake Basin, terminating at the
Mozambican Basement System. The groundwater basin extends
from the zone of north-south rift faulting west of the city (with an
elevation of about 2,400 m asl) towards the Athi river floodplain
(with an elevation of 1,500 m asl) east of the city centre2,3,4. NAS
intersects and provides water for Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos and

1ILRI, (n.d). Workshop Paper presented at the ILRI Workshop: Groundwater Management:
Sharing Responsibility for an Open Access Resource.
2 Gulf Power Ltd., (2010). Geology and Hydrogeology Report.
3 Stephen F. and Albert T., (2005). The Role of Groundwater in the Water-Supply of Greater

Nairobi, Kenya.
4 WRMA, (2010). Nairobi Water Allocation Plan.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-34
 Kajiado. NAS features the only Groundwater Conservation Area
(GCA) in Kenya, which was established as part of the strategies
aimed at protecting its sustainability. However, this GCA is poorly
enforced as NAS is the most abstracted aquifer with the most
boreholes amongst all aquifers in the country.

 Mount Elgon Aquifer: This transboundary aquifer between Uganda

and Kenya is a volcanic formation. In this aquifer volcanic rocks are
found in high relief areas and groundwater often occurs in the form
of springs1.

 Kilimanjaro Aquifer: Kilimanjaro Aquifer is the general name

given to various volcanic aquifers, which have Mount Kilimanjaro at
their centre and extend over an area of approx. 15,000 km2 [2]. The
aquifer encompasses Chyulu Hills which is located within the NEC.

 Coastal Sedimentary Basin: This spans the coastal area between

Tanzania and Kenya. It is a transboundary aquifer spanning an area
of 16,800 km2 and composed of quaternary and consolidated
sedimentary rocks3.

 Baricho Aquifer: This is a strategic alluvial aquifer because of its

importance in public water supply to the Coastal Strip. Baricho
aquifer extends over approx. 2 km2 from Malindi to the north of
Mombasa mainland. The aquifer does not face risks of depletion due
to abstraction levels being within sustainable levels, however it
remains vulnerable to pollution4.

 Tiwi Aquifer: This aquifer is strategic to the water supply of the

southern coast of Kenya. The aquifer spans 147 km2 between the
Mwachema River to the south and a point between Matuga and
Ngombeni in the north; its eastern boundary is the contact with the
Pleistocene coral limestone, and its western boundary is
approximately 2,000 m west of the Likoni-Ukunda road4.

In 2009, 43% of the urban population and 23% of the rural population
accessed water mainly through groundwater underpinning its
importance in water supply4. Amongst the NEC Counties, an average

1 Appelgren B. (2004). Managing Shared Aquifer Resources in Africa. UNESCO. IHP-VI, Series
on Groundwater No. 8.
2 Malte G. (2008). The Kilimanjaro Aquifer A case study for the research project

“Transboundary groundwater management in Africa”. German Development Institute.

3 International Water Management Institute (2014). Transboundary Aquifer Mapping and

Management in Africa. CGIAR.

4 Mumma A., Lane M., Kairu E., Tuinhof A., and Hirji R., (2011). Kenya Groundwater

Governance Case Study.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-35
 of 26% of the households per county access water through groundwater
sources (boreholes and wells) 1. Figure 5.17 illustrates the distribution of
boreholes amongst the NEC Counties. It is observed that Nairobi has
the most boreholes whilst Bomet has the least. Based on this data there
are at least 327 boreholes per county amongst the NEC Counties.

Figure 5.17 Boreholes in the NEC Counties

Boreholes in the NEC Counties

2 250
2 000
1 750
BOREHOLES

1 500
1 250
1 000
750
500
250
-

Trans-Nzoia
Machakos
Kiambu

Narok
Bungoma

Kilifi

Mombasa
kisumu

Kwale

Makueni
Nyeri

Bomet

Murang'a

Nakuru
Kakamega
Baringo

Busia
Elgeyo Marakwet

Nairobi

Taita Taveta
Kajiado

Kitui

Nandi

Vihiga
laikipia

Siaya

Uasin Gishu
kericho

Sources: KNBS, (2013)1 and WRMA (2011)1.

Groundwater remains important to environmental water demands in

Kenya. This is underpinned by the existence of several specific
Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems (GDEs) in the country including,
Mzima Springs, Njoro Kubwa, Lari Swamp in Limuru, the Kibwezi
“groundwater forest” and Ondiri Swamp, and Kikuyu Springs2.

1WRMA (2011). Nairobi Metropolitan Borehole Inventory Study.

2MoWI (2013). The National Policy Groundwater Resources Development and Management.
June 2013 Draft. Department of Water and Irrigation.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-36
Box 5.4 Constraints - Hydrology and Hydrogeology

Hydrological constraints identified include:

 Rivers, lakes and other water bodies intersected by the NEC. These
features provide water for human and ecological needs in a water
scarce country. National regulations also protect these water bodies
from pollution or unsustainable consumption. Moreover, some of
them are designated as Ramsar Wetlands and or their linked
ecosystems are national PAs.
 Water towers which are the source of the rivers mentioned above in
addition to being ecosystems that support a variety of species some
of which are at risk. They also provide other ecosystem goods and
services that are important to human wellbeing. These water towers
are protected by national regulations and some of them are also
national PAs.
 The GCA in the NAS since the abstraction of water from within it
will contribute to the challenge of over-abstraction in the NAS. Any
water demands of NEC in the NAS will have to be supplied in
accordance to the management strategies implemented by
regulatory authorities such as WRMA.

5.3.5 Oceanography

The NEC extends up to approx. 47 km off the coast of Mombasa, Kilifi

and Kwale creating an offshore area measuring 3,684 km2. This area
stretches from Gazi to Kilifi town along the coast as shown in Figure
5.18 and this subsection describes the oceanographic conditions
associated with it.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-37
Figure 5.18 NEC Offshore Area

5.3.5.1 Bathymetry

Kenya has a narrow continental shelf with depths dropping below 200
m within less than 4 km of the coastline in most regions. In front of the
mouths of rivers Tana and Sabaki, the shelf however widens
significantly exceeding 15 km off the northern end of Ungwana Bay.
Fringing reefs protect the shoreline by running along the coast with
gaps at the areas adjacent to the mouths of the main rivers. Slope of
gentle gradients of about 1:20 to the shelf edge generally characterize
the continental slope and dissected appearance occurs probably due to
previous fluvial action.

The development of this shelf is connected with glacio-eustatic event

and tectonic episodes since Permo-triassic times. The shelf has been
classified as an Afro-trailing edge type by Hove A.R.T (1980)1. The shelf
is markedly absent along certain straight segments of the coast
suggesting a fault origin. The sudden drop of the sea-floor topography
which is attributed to the postulated Ruvu-Mombasa fault supports this
occurrence2. This fault apparently maintains a north-northeast to south-
southwest orientation throughout. Examination of bathymetric charts
for the Kenyan coast indicate that indentations along the coast such as

1 Hove A.R.T, (1980). Some Aspects of Current Sedimentation, Depositional Environments and
Submarine Geomorphology of Kenya’s Submerged Continental Margins. University of Nairobi,
IDS/OP 28, pp. 127–144.
2 Abuodha J.O.Z, (1989). Morphodynamics and sedimentology of the Malindi-Fundisa coastal

area associated with the heavy mineral deposition. Unpubl. M.Sc. thesis, Univ. Nairobi, 258p.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-38
around the Ungwana Bay area are related to widening of the shelf,
whereas narrow zones are generally associated with headlands and
islands, for example in the vicinity of Mombasa Island.

5.3.5.2 Tides

The Kenyan coast is characterized by semi-diurnal tides which except

for limited periods in the year, the levels of high and low water of each
successive tide differ from the corresponding tide before and after. The
tides are therefore designated as mixed semi-diurnal tides.

According to tidal observations at the Kilindini and Lamu port,

Kilindini has a maximum tidal range which usually does not exceed 3.8
m but on occasion it may go beyond this2. On the other hand, Lamu
port has a maximum tidal range of 4.0 m at spring tide and 2.5 m at
neap tides1. Malindi has a tidal range of 2 m for neap tie and 2.9 m for
spring tide. A lag in the tidal state exists along the Kenyan coast and it
increases with distance northwards. Malindi is typically 5 minutes after
Kilindini while Lamu is about 40 minutes behind2.

The semi-diurnal tidal regime varies from 1.5 m to 4 m amplitude from

neap to spring tides, creating extensive inter-tidal platforms and rocky-
shore communities exposed twice-daily during low tides. Fringing reef
crests dominate the whole southern coast and parts of the northern
coast towards Somalia, forming a natural barrier to the wave energy
from the ocean.

5.3.5.3 Currents

There are four oceanic currents experienced in the Kenyan coast,

namely:

 South Equatorial Current (SEC),

 East African Coastal Current (EACC),
 Equatorial Counter Current (ECC), and
 Somali Current (SC).

The SEC moves westward dividing into two branches as it reaches

Cape Delgado on the Eastern coast of Africa. It produces both the

1KPA, (2013). Kenya Tidal Observations.

2A form number, F, has been defined as the ratio of the sum of amplitudes of diurnal tidal
species over semi diurnal species. According to Defant (1958), a simplified definition for F, F =
(k1+O1)/ (M2+S2), can be used to characterize tidal types. If F is less than 0.25, the tide is
referred to as semi-diurnal, and if F is greater than 3.0, the tide is diurnal. Value of F between
0.25 and 3.0 are considered as mixed tides.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-39
 southward flowing Mozambique Current and the northward flowing
East African Coastal Current, which parallel to the coast1.

The EACC flows northward at least as far as Malindi all year round. It
continues beyond Malindi during the Southeast Monsoon, joining the
SC to continue north to the Horn of Africa. The northward extent of the
EACC is restricted during the Northeast Monsoon when it meets and
joins the southward flowing SC (which changes direction under the
influence of the monsoon). The currents converge between Malindi and
north of Lamu depending on the monsoon’s strength in any particular
year. The resultant stream turns eastwards flowing offshore as the ECC1
(Figure 5.19).

Figure 5.19 Northeast Monsoon Currents

The SC reverses its flow under the monsoon’s influence and flows
south westerly at about 1.5 to 2.0 knots with the Northeast monsoon.
However, during the Southeast monsoon the flow reverts and increases
its velocity to around 2.0 to 2.5 knots. During this period, it appears as
the northward extension of the EACC, which still arises from the
onshore SEC (Figure 5.20). At this time of the year, the ECC is not very
distinct from the general Southwest monsoon drift at the lower
northern latitude of the Indian Ocean. The seaward flowing ECC

1NEMA, (2009). Kenya State of the Coast Report. Towards Integrated Management of Kenya’s
Coastal Marine Resources.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-40
 originates from where the reversing SC and northward flowing EACC
meet, at approx. 2 to 3⁰ S and at a depth of about 40 m [1].

Figure 5.20 Southeast Monsoon Currents

The net onshore current results in the sinking of surface waters along
most of the coast. During the Northeast monsoon, Kiunga is the
exception where some mild upwelling is considered to occur. Switching
of winds and currents is not exactly synchronous as some research has
shown. Closer to the shore off Malindi Bay (at depths of less than 40 m)
the current direction remains variable throughout the year, with a
dominant southerly flow tendency. Research has shown that monsoon
winds do not seem to influence the current direction at the shallow part
of the shelf where water movement is most likely a mixture of the
‘escaping waters’ out of Ungwana Bay, tidal current and the flow of R
Sabaki.

5.3.5.4 Sea Surface Temperatures and Salinity

The monsoon season influences sea surface temperature (SST) and

salinity. The highest SSTs of 28 ⁰C – 29 ⁰C occur during the Northeast
Monsoon (March – April). On the contrary, the lowest SSTs occur
between August and September with an average minimum of around
24 °C. Mombasa, Gazi and Kilifi have an average monthly sea
temperature ranging between 27.4 ⁰C and 27.5 ⁰C. Monthly average
SSTs at Mombasa, Gazi and Kilifi are illustrated by Figure 5.21.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-41
Figure 5.21 Monthly Average SSTs at Mombasa, Gazi and Kilifi

Average Monthly SSTs

30
29
28

SST ⁰C
27
26
25
24
23
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Mombasa Kilifi Gazi

Source: World Sea Temperatures (2016)1.

During the Southeast Monsoon, the shifting of ocean current brings

Pacific Ocean water of high salinity into the South Equatorial Current.
During the Northeast Monsoon season, the South Equatorial Current
draws water of low salinity from the Malay Archipelago. These
changes in turn result in higher and lower salinities of the East African
Counter Current waters. A further influence on salinity is the incidence
of rainfall, especially during the heavy rains of March to June when the
discharges from all major and minor seasonal river systems are at their
maximum. The salinity varies from a minimum of 34.5 parts per
thousand (ppt) to a maximum of 35 ppt [2]. This salinity is linked to the
corrosion risk posed by ocean water to infrastructure components made
of brick, concrete or metals. Evaporation of this water also causes
deposition of salts in water conduits which can result in reduced
capacity or in extreme cases blockages. Salinity also reduces the
utilitarian value of the water for human and animal consumption as
well as for agriculture.

5.3.6 Natural Hazards

In this section natural hazards which occur in Kenya and the NEC are
discussed. Hazard prone areas are also identified as constraints. The
International Disaster Database (EM-DAT) shows hydrometeorological
hazards to be the most common hazards in Kenya2. Prevailing poverty
levels predispose the country’s population to vulnerability. The Index
for Risk Management (INFORM) assesses Kenya’s humanitarian and
disaster risk profile to a value of 6.2, ranking the country 16 out of 191

1 World Sea Temperatures, (2016). Average Sea Surface Temperature Data. Retrieved February
27, 2016 from www.seatemperature.org
2 Guha-Sapir D., Below R. and Hoyois Ph., (2015). EM-DAT: The CRED/OFDA International

Disaster Database. Université Catholique de Louvain – Brussels – Belgium.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-42
countries. This rank is inversely proportional to the magnitude and
severity of the risk. The assessment value is calculated as an average of
the values of hazard and exposure (5.8), vulnerability (6.1) and lack of
coping capacity (6.6) 1.

5.3.6.1 Earthquakes

In Kenya and the NEC, seismic activity is related to the fracture zones
and volcanic activity associated with the EARS. Resultantly majority of
the seismic activity in Kenya is observed along the rift, and the south
west and north-west borders2. The southern region of the Lamu basin
(sedimentary basin) is also considered to be a seismic active area. This
region intersects Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale. In general, Kenya faces
low seismic risks or activity as compared to Northern Tanzania and the
Western Rift Valley regions along the border of Uganda and Tanzania,
and Burundi and Rwanda. Figure 5.22 displays the recorded
earthquakes of magnitude greater than 2.5 on the Richter Scale in
Kenya, and the country’s neighbourhood, in relation to the NEC in the
period between 1st January 1973 and 29th February 2016. It is observed
that most events occurred around Mt Ol Doiny and Meru in Tanzania
whereas in Kenya most events occurred along the Rift Valley.

1European Commission Joint Research Centre, (2016). Index for Risk Management (INFORM)
2016 Results. Institute for the Protection and Security of the Citizen.
2Sumedh R., (2013). Assessing Seismic Risk in Kenya.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-43
Figure 5.22 Earthquake Events in Kenya 1973-2016

Source: USGS, (2016)1.

In the region shown in Figure 5.22 a total 193 earthquake events

occurred during the aforementioned period. Of these events only 12
earthquakes occurred in the NEC. These earthquakes are listed in Table
5.6 with their magnitudes, depth, year and the county in which they
occurred. This study observes that these events were shallow and
majorly low magnitude events with the highest magnitude event
registering 5.5 on the Richter Scale. The latest event also occurred in
2015.

Table 5.6 Past Earthquakes in the NEC

Year Magnitude Depth (Km) County

2015 4.2 10 Turkana
2012 4.5 10 Kajiado
2007 4.9 10 Kwale
2006 4.2 10 Offshore (Mombasa)
2001 4.7 10 Baringo
1998 3.9 10 Turkana
1996 4.5 10 Turkana
1996 4.3 10 Turkana
1995 4.9 33 Kilifi

1USGS, (2016). Earthquake Hazards Program. Data on Earthquakes with magnitude greater
than 2.5 that occurred between 1st January 1973 and 29th February 2016, in the area between
Longitudes 32.959 and 42.715 and Latitude -5.091 and 5.703.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-44
Year Magnitude Depth (Km) County
1991 4.2 10 Taita Taveta
1990 5.5 10 Offshore (Mombasa and Kilifi)
1978 4.7 25 Kajiado

5.3.6.2 Floods

Floods are amongst the most frequent natural hazards that occur in
Kenya. They typically occur in areas with flat terrain such as river
basins, lake basins and urban centres in the country. The country’s bi-
modal system of rainfall dictates that they mostly occur during the long
and short rains. Other phenomena such as El Nino, storms and heavy
rains have also caused flood events (including flash floods), and several
studies also point out that human manipulation of watersheds has also
contributed to their occurrence1,2. Flood prone areas in the country have
been identified to include:

1. Nyanza Province – Kano plains, Nyakach area, Rachuonyo and

Migori
2. Western Province – Budalangi
3. Rift Valley Province – Baringo and Marigat
4. Coast Province – Kilifi, Kwale and the Tana River Basin
5. North Eastern Province – Garissa, Wajir, and Ijara
6. Urban Centres – Nairobi, Nakuru, Mombasa, Kisumu.
7. Tana River district (the Lower parts)

Figure 5.23 shows the floodplains in relation to the NEC Counties. Apart
from urban flood prone areas in Nairobi, Nakuru and Mombasa, 22
alluvial floodplains are located in the NEC as shown in Figure 5.23.
They are located in Kwale, Taita Taveta, Kajiado, Kitui, Makueni, Busia,
Bungoma, Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo.

1 UNDP, (n.d). Kenya Disaster Profile. United Nations Development Program. Enhanced
Security Unit.
2 The Earth Institute, (n.d). Kenya Disaster Profile.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-45
Figure 5.23 Floodplains in the NEC

5.3.6.3 Drought

Drought is common in Kenya due to the fact that 80% of the country’s
land mass is ASALs. In these areas annual rainfall ranges between 200
and 500 mm [1]. Moreover, these areas have the highest levels of poverty
creating vulnerable populations predisposed to drought disaster on
exposure. The impact of drought is experienced in the whole country in
all economic sectors since it causes:

 Reduced water supply in both rural and urban areas,

 Reduced hydropower generation leading to power rationing,
 Crop failures and reduced food security,
 Deaths of humans, livestock and wildlife,
 Loss of employment when industries shut down as resources get
depleted,
 Deterioration of human health due to malnutrition and poor
access to quality water, and
 Conflicts between communities and wildlife2.

Drought is also a co-factor amongst the causes of environmental

degradation and desertification. Areas prone to drought are the ASALs
which coincide with ACZs with a value greater than 40 (See Section

1 Kandji T. (2006). Drought in Kenya: Climatic, Economic and Socio-Political Factors. New
Standpoints November-December 2006.
2 Mbogo E., Inganga F. and Maina J., (n.d). Drought conditions and management strategies in

Kenya.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-46
 5.3.1). The NEC Counties intersected by these regions are Kilifi, Kwale,
Kitui, Makueni, Kajiado, Narok, Machakos, Nakuru, Kiambu, Nyeri,
Baringo, Bomet, Elgeyo Marakwet and Laikipia1.

Figure 5.23 identifies past drought events in the country between 1883
and 2011. A total of 26 events are identified in this time period.

Table 5.7 Historical Drought Events in Kenya

Period or Areas Affected

Year
1883 Coast
1889-1890 Coast
1894-1895 Coast
1896-1900 Countrywide
1907-1911 Lake Victoria, Machakos, Kitui and Coastal areas
1913-1919 Eastern and coastal provinces
1921 Rift valley Central and Coast
1925 Northern Rift Valley and central provinces
1938-1939 Countrywide
1942-1944 Central and Coast Provinces
1947-1950 Eastern, central, Coast, Nyanza, western and rift valley provinces
1952-1955 Eastern, south/north rift Valley
1960-1961 Widespread
1972 Most of Kenya
1973-1974 Eastern Central, northern provinces
1974-1976 Central, Eastern, Western, coast
1980 Eastern province
1981 Countrywide
1983 Countrywide
1984 Central, Rift Valley, Eastern and North Eastern
1987 Eastern and Central
1992-1994 Northern, Central, Eastern Provinces
1999-2000 Countrywide except west and coastal belt
2003-2004 Countrywide
2005-2006 Countrywide
2008-2011 Countrywide

Sources: NDMA, (2012)2 and UNDP, (n.d) 1.

5.3.6.4 Landslides

Landslides and other forms of mass wasting generally occur on

hillsides and slopes. They are often caused by a combination of one or

1 Republic of Kenya (2015). National Policy for the Sustainable Development of Northern Kenya
and other Arid Lands. The Presidency. Ministry of Devolution and Planning. July 2015 Draft.
2 NDMA, (2012). Kenya Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) 2008-2011 Drought.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-47
 more of geological, morphological and anthropogenic factors listed in
Table 5.8.

Table 5.8 Landslide Causes

Geologic Causes Morphological Causes Human Causes

 Weak or sensitive  Tectonic or volcanic  Excavation of
materials uplift slope or its
 Weathered materials  Glacial rebound toe
 Sheared, jointed, or  Fluvial, wave, or  Loading of
fissured materials glacial erosion of slope or its
 Adversely oriented slope toe or lateral crest
discontinuity (bedding, margins  Drawdown
schistosity, fault,  Subterranean erosion (of reservoirs)
unconformity, and (solution and piping)  Deforestation
contact)  Deposition loading  Irrigation
 Contrast in permeability slope or its crest  Mining
and/or stiffness of  Vegetation removal  Artificial
materials (by fire and drought) vibration
 Thawing  Water
 Freeze-and-thaw leakage from
weathering utilities
 Shrink-and-swell
weathering

Source: Gichaba M. et al, (2013)1.

Excessive rainfall, earth movements and human manipulation of

landscapes are the most common triggers of landslides. On the other
hand, floods accelerate the occurrence of mass wasting, particularly
mudslides since the resulting inundation increases the water content in
soil1.

Mass wasting often occurs in areas which receive high rainfall (over
1,200 mm annual rainfall) and have steep (over 80⁰) or exposed slopes.
Such areas where landslides have occurred in the past have included,
Mombasa, Rift Valley, Nairobi, Central Kenya and Western. The former
Central Province is particularly susceptible since it has permeable soils
and receives high rainfall and has steep slopes (highlands). The NEC
Counties with a risk of landslides, based on past events between 1974
and 2009, are Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyandarua, Nairobi, Busia, Narok,
Bungoma, Taita Taveta, Nyeri and Nandi1,2.

1 Gichaba M., Kipseba K. and Masibo M., (2013). Overview of Landslide Occurrences in Kenya,
Causes, Mitigation, and Challenges Developments in Earth Surface Processes, Vol. 16. Elsevier.
2 Ministry of Special Programmes, (2009). National Policy for Disaster Management in Kenya.

Office of the President. Government of Kenya.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-48
5.3.6.5 Storms

5.3.6.5.1 Tropical Storms

In the NEC, and Kenya in general, tropical cyclones are rare and almost
unknown since the country intersects the equator. They are however
more common between November and April in the Mozambique
Channel, south of the NEC. They are associated with a fresh westerly
wind in southern Tanzania when they occur. Tropical cyclones
predominantly occur in the south Indian Ocean and pass farther south
of the NEC but may, however, at times affect winds along the Kenyan
coast.

Kenya’s coast is located in the southwest Indian Ocean basin in which

cyclones affect Kenya, Tanzania, Comoros, Réunion, Madagascar,
Mozambique and Mauritius. In this basin an average of about ten
tropical cyclones form per year1.

5.3.6.6 El Niño

El Niño refers to the periodic build-up of a large pool of unusually

warm water in large parts of the eastern and central equatorial Pacific
Ocean. Conversely, the opposite condition, known as La Niña, describes
the periodic build-up of unusually cold waters in large parts of the
same ocean basin. During both periods extreme weather events occur
worldwide such as droughts, floods, cold/hot spells, tropical cyclones.

Kenya experienced El Niño in 1997/98, 2002/03, 2006/07, 2009/10 and

2014/15[2]. Effects of these events included floods, storms and
deposition of excessive sediments along the coast due to exceptional
run-off from the storms. The excessive sedimentation of the 1997/98
event caused coral bleaching of up to 90% of corals along the coast. This
event has been recognized as the most severe since it triggered
landslides, damaged property and led to loss of human lives. The
floods resulting from the 1997/98 El Niño were considered to be most
intense since the 1961/62 floods3.

5.3.6.7 Tsunami

Kenya is amongst the western Indian Ocean states that were affected by
the Boxing Day Tsunami (December 26, 2004) albeit with low

1 World Meteorological Organization, (2006). Tropical Cyclones in the Western Indian Ocean.
2 Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, (2015). El Niño. Retrieved March 01, 2016
from http://www.environment.go.ke/?p=1337
3Ngecu M. and Mathu E., (1999). The El Nino Triggered Landslides and Their Socioeconomic

Impacts on Kenya. Episodes, Vol. 22, No. 4.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-49
 magnitude effects. Not much damage was caused by the Tsunami
because extensive reaches of the coast are protected by fringing reefs.

It took nine hours for the Boxing Day Tsunami to impact the northern
part of the Kenyan coast. In contrast to the southern coast, the northern
coast registered higher tsunami heights. Higher magnitude damage
was observed in Lamu and Malindi towns compared to Kilifi and
Mombasa towns. A simulation of the Tsunami with Padang (Sumatra)
as the epicentre postulated wave heights as high as 1.5 m in areas such
as Ungwana Bay and Lamu, and 0.5 m around Mombasa’s coastline1
(Figure 5.24).

Figure 5.24 Tsunami Wave Heights along the Kenyan Coast

Source: Ngunjiru M., (2006)2.

Tsunamis triggered by earthquakes of different magnitudes resulting

from the fracture of the Davie Ridge3 have been simulated in one study.
The study used near-field earthquake source models for earthquakes
with Moment Magnitude (Mw) 7.2, 8.0 and 9.0. For Mw 7.2 earthquake,
the study estimated a seafloor deformation of about 0.5 m resulting
wave heights of 1 m along the Kenyan coast. The Mw 8.0 and 9.0
resulted in deformations of 3 m and 10 m respectively with wave
heights of less than 1 m and 10.5 m respectively. Thus, a Mw 9.0
earthquake along the Davie Ridge will have the most devastating
effects4.

2 Ngunjiri M., (2006). Tsunami and Seismic Activities in Kenya

3 The Davie Ridge is located off the Eastern Africa Coast in the Western Indian Ocean.
4 Josphat K., Fumiaki K. and Nguyen A., (2013). Seismic Hazards. Developments in Earth

Surface Processes, Vol. 16. Elsevier.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-50
5.3.6.8 Soil Erosion

Soil erosion is a globally recognized problem, which leads to losses of

up to 5 Mg/Ha of fertile top soil in Africa annually1. In Kenya, it
presents a challenge to agriculture which contributed 30.3% of the
country’s GDP in 2014 [2]. The main agents of soil erosion in Kenya and
the NEC are wind and water. Erosion is influenced by a combination of
factors including, soil structure and texture, amount of vegetative
cover, land management practices (land use changes), slope of land,
amount of rainfall and wind intensity. The impacts of soil erosion vary
amongst others:

 Loss of nutrients,
 Loss of land fertility and productivity,
 Increased sedimentation in water bodies,
 Loss of biodiversity,
 Increase of greenhouse emission from soil carbon losses,
 Reduced livestock carrying capacity,
 Reduced water quantity and quality, and
 Reduced wood availability.

Soil erosion is amongst the co-factors that drive land degradation whilst
posing a threat to sustainable agriculture. Moreover, land and
environmental degradation, and soil erosion are reinforcing in an
interlinked network of factors and drivers as shown by Figure 5.25 on
their relationship with soil and land productivity in Kenya.

1 Angima S., Stott D., O’Neill M., Ong C. and Weesies G., (2002). Soil Erosion Prediction Using
RUSLE for Central Kenyan Highland Conditions. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 97
(2003) 295–308. Elsevier.
2 World Bank, (2016). Agriculture, value added (% of GDP). Retrieved March 03, 2016 from

http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NV.AGR.TOTL.ZS

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-51
Figure 5.25 Factors Affecting Soil Productivity in Kenya

Biophysical Factors Economic Factors Socio-political Factors

Geology
Soil type History of people
Drainage Labour Culture
Topography Capital Knowledge
Rainfall Inputs Demography
Temperature Tenure Security Government policies
Vegetation

Soil nutrients
Land use and
management

Soil erosion

Soil productivity

Source: Ovuka M., (2000)1.

This study identifies only one study, Lieven C. et al, (2008)2, that has
calculated soil erosion potential in a study area that includes the whole
of Kenya’s land mass using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation
(RUSLE) model. On the other hand, other studies have focus on
regional subsets such as the Kenyan Highlands (Angima S.D. et al
(2003)3), Ewaso Ngiro Basin (Mati M., (2000)4) and Embu (Sara R.,
(2009)5) to mention a few. This study therefore estimates the erosion
potential of the NEC using an index calculated using the parameters of
rainfall, land uses, slope, soil texture, bedrock depth and landforms. All
these parameters were assigned representative values which are as
added and multiplied by the land use value. The resulting values,
ranging between 0 (waterbodies) and 92, are divided into 5 equal
interval classes namely, Very Low, Low, Moderate, High and Very

1 Ovuka M., (2000). Effects of Soil Erosion on Nutrient Status and Soil Productivity in The
Central Highlands of Kenya. Göteborg University, Department of Earth Sciences.
2 Lieven C., Paulo V.B., Notenbaert A., Mario H., Jeanette V.D.S, (2008). Mapping potential soil

erosion in East Africa using the Universal Soil Loss Equation and secondary data. Sediment
Dynamics in Changing Environments (Proceedings of a symposium held
in Christchurch, New Zealand, December 2008). IAHS Publ. 325, 2008.
3 Angima S.D., Stott D.E., O’Neill M.K., Ong C.K. and Weesies G.A, (2003). Soil erosion

prediction using RUSLE for central Kenyan highland conditions. Agriculture, Ecosystems and
Environment 97 (2003) 295–308. Elsevier.
4 Mati M., (2000). Assessment of erosion hazard with USLE and GIS—a case study of the upper

Ewaso Ngiro basin of Kenya. Int. J. Appl. Earth Observ. Geoinform. 2, 78–86.
5 Sara R., (2008). Soil physical properties and erosion risks at smallholder farms in Embu,

Kenya. Swedish University of Agricultural sciences. Department of Soil and Environment.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-52
 High. This is done through GIS using overlays and the results are
shown in Figure 5.26 (1).

Figure 5.26 Soil Erosion Potential along the Main Route of the NEC

This erosion potential analysis identified high potential areas along the
coastal area, the central highlands, rift valley and western region. The
high potential in the coastal region is largely attributed to the high
annual rainfall received. The central highlands, rift valley and western
regions have high potential due high annual rainfall, steep slopes and
predominance of agricultural practices. The location of these high
potential areas coincides with the findings of Lieven C. et al, (2008).

(1) Data for the sub-route was unavailable

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-53
Box 5.5 Constraints - Natural Hazards

All hazard prone areas in the NEC are classed to be constraints

particularly due to the vulnerability of Kenya’s population to disasters.
These constraints are the following:

 Earthquake Epicentres (Seismic Zones): These areas are geological

active and any infrastructure located in their neighbourhood will
require mitigation measures to make them earthquake proof.
Earthquakes present a risk on the infrastructure, human life and
livelihood assets.
 Flood Prone Areas: Floods can damage infrastructure and affect
human life negatively by: increasing the risk of water-borne
diseases, leading to loss of life through drowning, damaging
livelihood assets and leading to displacement.
 Soil erosion prone areas: In these areas the development of
infrastructure can lead to or increase the risk of erosion. Soil
management measures will thus have to be implemented to manage
this risk.
 Landslide Prone Areas: Landslides can lead to loss of human life
and damage infrastructure. The development of infrastructure or
extension of agriculture in areas prone to landslides in the NEC can
increase their associated risk.
 Tsunami: Coastal areas and infrastructure of the NEC will be
vulnerable to tsunamis which can damage infrastructure on landfall,
cause flooding and subsequently loss of life.
 Drought: The NEC’s ASALs are the most susceptible to drought.
The occurrence of drought in these regions will create a challenge of
acquiring resources such as water which will be required in
developing any infrastructure. Additionally, these areas remain
impoverished as compared to the wetter regions of the country
whereas due to their prevailing conditions the interventions of the
NEC will be limited.

5.4 BIOLOGICAL BASELINE

Kenya’s biodiversity richness comprises over 35,000 species of flora and

fauna1. This richness is attributed to a long evolutionary history,
variable climatic conditions, and diverse habitat types and ecosystems1.
Several of these biological resources face risks of extinction (species)
and degradation (habitats). This study pays particular interest and

1UNEP, (2009). Kenya: Atlas of Our Changing Environment. Division of Early Warning and
Assessment (DEWA). United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-54
 focus on the anthropogenic drivers of these risks. This is because the
NEC MP has the potential of contributing to these risks since it
intersects regions with valuable biological diversity.

This subsection describes the biological resources of the NEC, similarly

with a purpose of identifying potential constraints to the MP.
Assessment methods employed in this section for species borrow from
IUCN’s Red List assessment method and those used nationally for
prioritization1. The following IUCN Red List assessment categories are
considered:

 Critically Endangered (CR): The species is in imminent risk of

extinction in the wild.
 Endangered (EN): The species is facing an extremely high risk of
extinction in the wild.
 Vulnerable (VU): The species is facing a high risk of extinction in
the wild.
 Near Threatened (NT): The species does not meet any of the criteria
that would categorise it as risking extinction but it is likely to do so
in the future.

These classes are used in assessing the sensitivity of species or

ecosystems and habitats of such species in this sub-section.

5.4.1 Ecosystems and Agro-ecological Zones

The NEC intersects ecosystems in both the marine and terrestrial eco-
regions. Topography plays a determinant role in the ecosystems found
in a particular location in the country. The NEC intersects all the
ecosystems shown in Figure 5.27 except for Mt Kenya, and the Glacial
and Alpine ecosystems.

Figure 5.27 Ecosystems in Kenya

1National prioritization of species and ecosystems are according to the 2nd Schedule of the
Wildlife Management and Coordination Act (2013).

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-55
 Source: Westview Press, (1993)1.

5.4.1.1 Terrestrial Eco-Region

Ecosystems in Kenya’s terrestrial eco-region include forests, forest

ranges, savannahs, grasslands, lake ecosystems, riverine ecosystems
and highlands/mountainous ecosystems. KWS has identified
priority/endangered ecosystems and areas of environmental
significance in the country. Those priority ecosystems and areas of
environmental significance which intersect the NEC are identified in
Table 5.9.

Table 5.9 Priority Ecosystems and Areas of Environmental Significance in the

NEC

Endangered or Priority Areas of Environmental Significance

Ecosystems
 Athi-Kitengela and Kaputei  Aberdare Ecosystem Ranges
Plains (Kajiado) (Nyandarua/Nyeri)
 Eburru Forest (Narok)  Baringo Ecosystem (Baringo)
 Kerio valley (Baringo)  Lake Naivasha Ecosystem (Nakuru)
 Kimana Group Ranch  Mt. Elgon Ecosystem (Bungoma/Trans
(Kajiado) Nzoia)
 Kuku A and B Group  Mt. Kenya Ecosystem
Ranches (Kajiado) (Meru/Tharaka/Kirinyaga/Nyeri/Laiki
 Lake Elementaita and its pia)
catchment and its basin  Shimba Hills Ecosystem (Kwale)
(Naivasha)  Tsavo Ecosystem (Tana River/Taita
 Lake Nakuru N.P and its Taveta/ Kitui)
catchment (Nakuru)
 Lolorashi Group Ranch
(Kajiado)
 Machakos ranches
(Machakos)
 Marula Ranch (Naivasha)
 Marula ranch (Nakuru)
 Mashuru (Kajiado)
 Mau Forest Complex
(Nakuru, Bomet, Narok,
Kericho)
 Mbirikani Group Ranch
(Kajiado)
 Nairobi National park
(Nairobi)
 Ol Gulului (Kajiado)
 Ol Gulului Trust Land

1 Westview Press, (1993). Ecological Zones in Kenya.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-56
Endangered or Priority Areas of Environmental Significance
Ecosystems
(Kajiado)
 Ol Pieyei (Narok)
 Olare Orok Lemek (Narok)
 Selengei Group Ranch
(Kajiado)
 Sheikh Salim Ranch (Taita
Taveta)
 Soysambu Ranch
(Nakuru/Naivasha)
 Suswa (Narok)
 West Chyulu National Park
(Kajiado)
 Lake Turkana (Turkana)
 Loima Hills (Turkana)
Source: KWS, (2016)1.

The country’s land mass is also divided into distinct Agro-Ecological

Zones (AEZs) using temperature, humidity and topography. Similarly,
to the ACZ systems discussed in Section 5.3.1, the AEZ system assigns a
designation by concatenating any of the indices of 7 humidity zones
with topographical temperature belts classifications2,3. Figure 5.28 below
shows that the NEC traverses all the 7 humidity zones in the
country (4).

1 KWS, (2016). Priority Ecosystems and Areas of Environmental Significance in Kenya.

2 Ministry of Agriculture, (2006). Farm Management Handbook of Kenya.
3 IRLI, (2007). Agro-Ecological Zones Based on Temperature and Crop Suitability.
(4) No data is available on the sub-route, i.e., north of Trans Nzoia

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-57
Figure 5.28 AEZs in the NEC Main Route

Source: ILRI, (2007)3.

From the map above, the topographical temperature belts intersected

by the NEC are:

 Coastal Lowlands (CL),

 Inner Lowlands (IL),
 Lower Highlands (LH),
 Upper Midlands (UM),
 Lower Midlands (LM),
 Tropical Alpine (TA), and
 Upper Highlands (UH).

5.4.1.2 Marine Eco-Region

In the marine eco-region ecosystems range from mangroves and coastal

wetlands to lagoons to fringing coral reefs and the open ocean. The
discrete ecosystems found in the areas of this eco-region intersected by
the NEC are explained in Table 5.10

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-58
Table 5.10 Marine Ecosystems in Kenya

Ecosystem Description
Characteristics
Sheltered Protected from wind and wave action, highly productive
mangrove environments; easily damaged physically and through
swamps, creeks, pollutants; mainly intertidal - regularly exposed and
estuaries, marshes submerged.
Sheltered tidal Mainly submerged but exposed at extreme low tides;
flats, sea grass usually subjected to medium wave energy; biological
meadows activity high.
Coral reefs Mainly submerged and subjected to significant wave
action; high productivity; very susceptible to water
pollution.
Sheltered rias, Reduced wave action, mixture of sub-tidal, intertidal and
sheltered rock littoral; often with extensive seaweed forests.
coasts
Exposed tidal flats Exposed to wave action; relatively high biodiversity.
exposed mud flats
Sheltered, fine- Generally sheltered beaches inside lagoons or behind the
grained sand protection of a coral reef, subjected more to wind than
beaches wave action; productivity medium to high.
Exposed near- Subjected to increasing wind and wave action; mainly
shore rocky sub-tidal; high productivity particularly of some algal
platforms species.
Exposed gravel, Exposed to wave action, usually with prominent storm
pebble, cobbles ridges and steep profiles; productivity low.
and boulder
beaches
Exposed Generally flat and very long stretches of beach without
compacted sand the protection of a reef; or accumulated sand dunes
beaches, wind- which are rarely behind the protection of a reef and
blown sand dunes usually open to wind and wave action; medium to low
productivity.
Exposed cliffs, Usually steeply dipping, near vertical walls; rocky
steep rocky headlands; exposed to wind and wave action; medium to
coasts, manmade high productivity.
structures

Source: UNEP, (1998)2.

Figure 5.29 displays the location of mangroves, corals and sandy

beaches in relation to the NEC.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-59
Figure 5.29 Mangroves, Corals and Sandy Beaches

This study finds corals, sandy beaches, mangroves and seagrass beds to
be sensitive ecosystems. This is because they provide valuable
ecosystem services but are threatened by human activities. They are
discussed in more detail in Section 5.4.4

Box 5.6 Constraints - Endangered Ecosystems and Areas of Environmental

Significance

The endangered ecosystems and areas of environmental significance are

recognized as constraints by this study. This is because:

 They are protected by national regulations

 They are priority areas of conservation efforts in the country.
 This study deems that these ecosystems and areas are at risk of
degradation from anthropogenic pressures, and
 The NEC MP has the potential of increasing these pressures and
risks.

5.4.2 Biodiversity

The diversity of flora and fauna in Kenya has led to several areas to be
designated as Ramsar sites, Man and Biosphere (MAB) Reserves or
World Heritage Sites. Through tourism and other environmental
services this diversity contributes to the country’s economy. It is
however noted that 70% of the national diversity exists outside of
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI
5-60
protected areas1. This situation threatens the longevity and wellbeing of
this diversity.

5.4.2.1 Fauna

5.4.2.1.1 Terrestrial Fauna

Kenya has over 25,000 species of fauna of which several are considered
at risk by IUCN Red List assessment method and national regulations.
This study focusses on species likely to be found in the NEC which are
considered to be at risk by these two regimes of assessment. Species are
identified through GIS from species ranges obtained from IUCN’s Red
List1. In the subsections herein briefs on the findings are provided:

1. Mammals
A total of 310 mammals listed in IUCN’s Red List are identified
to be likely to found within the NEC. Figure 5.30 displays the
distribution of these mammals according the assessment
categories. Whilst most of the identified mammals are assessed
to be under LC (260), 3 are EN and 3 are CE. Those under these
two categories are the following:

 Endangered
o Equus grevyi (Grevy’s Zebra)
o Lycaon pictus (African Wild Dog)
o Rhynchocyon chrysopygus (Golden-rumped Elephant
Shrew)

 Critically Endangered
o Beatragus hunter (Hunter’s Antelope)
o Diceros bicornis (Black Rhinocerous)
o Suncus aequatorius (Taita Shrew)
o

1 IUCN Red List, (2014). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-61
Figure 5.30 Distribution of NEC Red List Mammals

NEC Red List Mammals Distribution

300 260

200
Species

100
16 15 3 3 0 0 13
0
LC NT VU EN CR EW EX DD

2. Reptiles
46 Red List reptilians are identified to be likely to be found in the
NEC with their classifications as given in Figure 5.31. Of these 46
species, those that are EN and CR are the following:
 Endangered
o Chelonia mydas (Green Turtle)
o Elapsoidea nigra (Black Garter Snake / Usambara Garter
Snake)
o Kinyongia tenuis (Usambara Flap-nosed Chameleon,
Matschie's Dwarf Chameleon)

 Critically Endangered
o Eretmochelys imbricate (Hawksbill Turtle)
o Gastropholis prasina (Green Keel-bellied Lizard)

Figure 5.31 Distribution of NEC Red List Reptiles

NEC Red List Reptiles Distribution

40 30
Species

20
3 6 3 2 0 0 2
0
LC NT VU EN CR EW EX DD

3. Amphibians
89 amphibian species in the Red List, categorized according to
Figure 5.32, are likely to be found in the NEC. Six of these species
are EN and two are CR and these are:

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-62
  Endangered
o Afrixalus sylvaticus (Forest Banana Frog / Forest Spiny
Reed Frog)
o Boulengerula changamwensis (Changamwensis African
Caecilian / Changamwe Lowland Caecilian /
Changamwe Caecilian)
o Boulengerula niedeni (Sagalla Caecilian)
o Boulengerula taitana (Taita African Caecilian)
o Hyperolius rubrovermiculatus (Reed Frog)
o Phrynobatrachus irangi (Irangi Puddle Frog)

 Critically Endangered
o Arthroleptides dutoiti (Du Toit's Torrent Frog)
o Callulina dawida (Taita Hills Warty Frog)

Figure 5.32 Distribution of NEC Red List Amphibians

NEC Red List Amphibians

100 76
Species

50
1 1 6 2 0 0 3
0
LC NT VU EN CR EW EX DD

4. Birds
There are 971 species of birds that are likely to be found in the
NEC which are in the Red List. Figure 5.33 illustrates the
distribution of the assessment categories of these birds. Those
which are EN and CR are:

 Endangered
o Acrocephalus griseldis (Basra Reed-warbler)
o Anthus sokokensis (Sokoke Pipit)
o Aquila nipalensis (Steppe eagle)
o Ardeola idae (Madagascar Pond-heron)
o Balearica regulorum (Grey crowned crane)
o Cisticola Aberdare (Aberdare Cisticola)
o Eremomela turneri (Turner's Eremomela)
o Falco cherrug (Saker Falcon)
o Macronyx sharpei (Sharpe's Longclaw)
o Neophron percnopterus (Egyptian vulture)
o Ploceus golandi (Clarke's Weaver)

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-63
 o Torgos tracheliotos (Lappet-faced Vulture)
o Zoothera guttata (Spotted Ground-thrush)

 Critically Endangered
o Apalis fuscigularis (Taita Apalis)
o Gyps africanus (White backed vulture)
o Gyps rueppelli (Rüppell's vulture)
o Necrosyrtes monachus (Hooded Vulture)
o Trigonoceps occipitalis (White-headed Vulture)
o Turdus helleri (Taita Thrush)

Figure 5.33 Distribution of NEC Red List Birds

NEC Red List Birds Distribution

906

29 16 13 6 0 0 1

LC NT VU EN CR EW EX DD

5. Aquatic (Freshwater) Species

138 aquatic fish species in the Red List are likely to be found in
the rivers, wetlands and lakes in the NEC. The distribution of
their assessment categories is shown in Figure 5.34. The
freshwater fish which are EN and CR are:
 Endangered
o Alcolapia alcalicus (Soda Cichlid / Magadi Tilapia)
o Barbus quadralineatus (Nelitriip-pardkala1)
o Brycinus jacksonii (Victoria Robber)
o Marcusenius victoriae (Victoria Stonebasher)

 Critically Endangered
o Aplocheilichthys sp. nov. 'Baringo'

1Estonian common name

Source: Fishbase.org (2008). Common names of Barbus quadrilineatus. Retrieved March 03,
2016 from
http://www.fishbase.org/comnames/CommonNamesList.php?ID=62907&GenusName=Barb
us&SpeciesName=quadrilineatus&StockCode=52976

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-64
 o Haplochromis sp. nov. 'Amboseli'
o Oreochromis esculentus (Singidia Tilapia)
o Oreochromis jipe (Jipe Tilapia)
o Oreochromis variabilis (Victoria Tilapia)

Figure 5.34 Distribution of NEC Red List Freshwater Fish

NEC Red List Freshwater Fish

100 90
90
80
70
60
Species

50
40
30 23
20 13
10 2 4 5
0 1
0
LC NT VU EN CR EW EX DD

5.4.2.1.2 Marine Fauna

The marine zone of the NEC forms a habitat for a diverse set of species
some of which are under risk from human activities. These species
include cetaceans, wrasse, sea turtles and parrotfish amongst others.

1. Cetaceans
There are 23 cetaceans in the Red List likely to be found in the
NEC. The distribution of their assessment categories are given in
Figure 5.35. None of the species are CR, however those that are
EN are:
 Balaenoptera musculus (Blue Whale), and
 Balaenoptera borealis (Sei Whale).

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-65
Figure 5.35 Distribution of NEC Red List Cetaceans

NEC Red List Cetaceans

12
10
10
8
8
SPECIES
6

4
2 2
2 1
0 0 0
0
LC NT VU EN CR EW EX DD

2. Sea Turtles
Kenya’s five sea turtle species are likely to be found in the NEC.
These are Chelonia mydas (Green turtle), Eretmochelys imbricate
(Hawksbill turtle), Caretta caretta (Loggerhead turtle),
Lepidochelys olivacea (Olive Ridley), and Dermochelys coriacea
(Leatherback Turtle). The Green turtle and Hawksbill turtle are
EN and CR respectively.

3. Angelfish
In the NEC there are 12 Angelfish species in the Red List that are
likely to be found. All these species are categorized as LC.

4. Groupers
There are 46 Red List Grouper species likely to found in the
NEC. Their assessment categories are distributed as shown by
Figure 5.36

It is observed that none of the species are CR or EN, however

those that are NT and VU are the following:

o Near Threatened
 Epinephelus malabaricus (Malabar Grouper)
 Plectropomus pessuliferus (Roving Coralgrouper)
 Epinephelus fuscoguttatus (Brown-marbled Grouper)
 Epinephelus coioides (Orange-spotted Grouper)
 Epinephelus polyphekadion (Camouflage Grouper)

o Vulnerable
 Plectropomus laevis (Blacksaddled Coral Grouper)

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-66
  Epinephelus lanceolatus (Queensland Groper)

Figure 5.36 Distribution of NEC Red List Groupers

NEC Red List Groupers

30 27
25

20
Species

15
10
10
5
5 2
0 0 0 0
0
LC NT VU EN CR EW EX DD

5. Tunas and Billfish

13 Red List Tunas and Billfish are likely to be found in the NEC.
7 of these are of LC category and whilst 3 are DD, the remaining
3 are NT. Those that are NT are:

o Kajikia audax (Striped Marlin)

o Scomberomorus commerson (Narrow-barred Spanish Mackerel)
o Thunnus albacares (Yellowfin Tuna)

6. Wrasse
Within the marine zones of the NEC, there are 99 Red List
Wrasse species that are likely to be found. 95 of these species are
categorized to be of LC, 3 are DD and Bolbometopon muricatum
(Green Humphead Parrotfish) is VU.

7. Butterflyfish
There are 26 Red List Butterflyfish species likely to be found in
the NEC. 24 of these are of LC and the remaining two are
categorized to be NT and DD. The two are Chaetodon trifascialis
(Triangulate Butterflyfish) and Chaetodon bennetti (Bluelashed
Butterflyfish) respectively.

8. Damselfish
There are two species of Damselfish likely to be in the NEC.
These are Chrysiptera unimaculata (Cape Damsel, One-spot
Damsel) and Chromis pembae (Pemba Chromis, Yellow-edge
Chromis) which are both categorized to be LC.

5.4.2.1.3 Flora

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-67
 Kenya’s floral diversity comprises of over 7,000 species spread across
the different ACZs, AEZs and eco-regions within the country1. This
section describes the diversity within the country and the NEC. It
regards the diversity according to the two eco-regions intersected by
the NEC.

5.4.2.1.4 Terrestrial Flora

As mentioned above floral species vary with AEZs. Table 5.11 describes
the common species found in the AEZs which are traversed by the
NEC.

Amongst the floral species found in the country, several are classified to
be at risk by KWS and IUCN. Those species include:

 Ocotea kenyensis (Camphor)

 Osyris lanceolate (East African sandalwood)
 Vitex keniensis (Meru oak)
 Polyscias kikuyuensis (Parasol tree)
 Aloe ballyi (Rat aloe)
 Prunus Africana (Red stinkwood)
 Populus ilicifolia (Tana river poplar)
 Encephalartos kisambo (Voi cycad)

Source: KWS, (2016)1.

Table 5.11 Common Floral Species in the NEC’s AEZs

Zone Description
I This zone is confined to mountains and immediate surrounding such
as Mt Kenya and Mt Elgon.
II This zone is generally restricted to the highlands of Kenya between
1980 and 2700 m and occurs as a forest or open grasslands. This zone is
found in the surrounding of Mt Kenya (parts of Meru, Embu,
Kirinyaga and Nyeri), isolated parts of the Rift Valley around Mau and
Aberdares mountains (e.g. around Kericho and Nyahururu
respectively) and the surrounding of Mt Elgon (e.g. around Kitale and
Webuye).

The main grasses are Pennisetum clandistenum (Kikuyu grass), Themeda

triandra (Red oats), Andropogon Chrysostachyus, Andropogon pralonsia,
Exotheca abysinica, Digiteria scalaram, Eragrostis lascantha, Seteria
sphacelata, Pennisetum catabasis and Sporobolus filipes. Legumes include

1 KWS, (2016). Endangered Plant Species in Kenya.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-68
Zone Description
Trifolium johnstoni, Medicago sativa (Alfalfa or Lucerne), Sesbania sesban
and Leuceana leucusephala.
III Trees are numerous here and somewhat of shorter stature than in Zone
II. This zone is the most significant for agricultural cultivation and
several legume fodders are found here in crop-livestock systems. It
occurs in the vast parts of Nyanza, Western and Central provinces,
good proportion of Central Rift-Valley (Nandi, Nakuru, Bomet,
Eldoret and Kitale) and a small strip at the Coast province. The major
grasses are Hyperenia and Cymbopogon, Themeeda triandra, Panicum
maximum, Seteria Sphacelata, Sporobolus pyramidalis, Bracharia brizantha
(Congo signal), Bricharia siluta, Chloris gayana (Rhodes grass) and
Cynodon dactylon (Star grass).
IV This zone occupies more or less the same elevation (900-1800 m) as the
previous or may be at times lower. It is typically represented in
surroundings of Naivasha, vast parts of Laikipia and Machakos, vast
parts of the former Central Province and vast part of the southern
region of the former Coast Province. It is the home of most Acacia trees
and shrubs including Acacia seyal, Acasia Senegal, Acacia brevispica,
Acacia drepanolobium and Acacia gerrardii. Euphobia trees occur in some
drier parts of this zone. Combretum and Terchonanthus spp. are also
common here.

Grasses found in this zone include Themeda triandra, Pennisetum

mezianum, Pennisetum straminium, Pennisetum massaiense, Eragrostis spp.,
Hyperenia spp., Seteria spp., Digiteria spp., Bothriochloa insculpta and
Cenchrus ciliaris. Rare grasses include Chloris spp. and Cynodon spp.
Besides Acacia, other important legumes include Indigoferra and
Crotolaria.
V This zone is much drier than Zone IV and occurs at lower elevations.
This Zone is prevalent in northern Baringo, Turkana, lower Makueni
and vast parts of the former North Eastern Province.

Low trees and shrubs found here include Acacia mellifera, Acacia tortilis,
Acacia horrida, Acacia reficiens, Acacia nubica, Acaia paslii, Acacia
Zanzibarica, Adansonia digitata, Terminalia prunioides, Dobea spp.,
Dioppspyros spp. and Commiphora spp.

Common grasses in this zone are Eragrostis superba, Cenchrus ciliaris,

Cymbopogon spp., Bothriochloa spp. and Heteropogon contortus.
VI This zone is considered as semi desert and is the driest part of Kenya.
Dominant in this zone are Acacia and Commiphora shrubs with
scattered taller trees of Delonix elata, Acacia tortilis and Adansonia
digitata. Balanites eagyptica, Boscia coriacea, Salvadora persica, Acacia
mellifera and Acacia reficiens are important shrubs or low tree species.
Common dwarf shrubs here are Indigofera spinosa and Sansevieria spp.
Other important shrubs are Sericocomopsis, Barberia and Duosperma
eromophylum. Important grasses include Aristida adoensis, Stipagrostis
hirtigluma, which are very characteristic and may occur as annuals or

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-69
Zone Description
perennials. Other grasses also found here are Aristida mutabilis,
Chrysopogon aucheri, Tetrapogon spp., Enneapogon cenchroides and Chloris
roxburghiana.
VII This zone is desert dominated by sparse salt bushes.

Source: Infonet-Biovision, (2016)1.

5.4.2.1.5 Forestry

Kenya is classified as a country with low forest cover since less than
10% of its area covered by forests. Recent estimates calculated the
country’s gazetted forest cover to a value less than 3.5%. This has
driven efforts of increasing the country’s forest cover since forest
provide diverse and valuable environmental services and goods.
Kenya’s Vision 2030 sets 10% as the national goal of forest cover.
Climate change, encroachment, pollution, land use changes and
unsustainable harvesting of forest products are amongst the pressures
which prevent the attainment of this goal. Nationally, only 18 counties
had a forest cover above 10% in 2015[3].

Amongst the NEC Counties, the counties which meet the 10% goal are
Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, Nandi, Kericho,
Bomet, Narok, Kiambu, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Kiambu and
Makueni. Figure 5.37 illustrates the distribution of percentage forest
cover amongst the NEC Counties. This study calculates that 8.93% of
land area of the NEC Counties is covered by forests. This translates to
24,467.20 km2 wherein an average of 789 km2 of forest cover per county
is observed amongst these counties.
.

1Infonet-Biovision, (2016). AEZs: The Kenya System. Retrieved March 04, 2016 from
http://www.infonet-biovision.org/EnvironmentalHealth/AEZs-Kenya-System

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-70
Figure 5.37 NEC Counties Distribution of Percentage Forest Cover

NEC Counties % Forest Cover

Siaya 0.4
Kisumu 0.4
Busia 1.0
Machakos 3.4
Taita Taveta 3.6
Turkana 4.1
Mombasa 5.1
Kwale 5.4
Laikipia 6.8
Kitui 7.1
Kajiado 7.1
Uasin Gishu 7.6
Kilifi 7.7
Nairobi 7.8
West Pokot 8.4
Nakuru 9.3
Vihiga 9.8
Kakamega 9.8
Bomet 12.7
Makueni 13.1
Murang'a 14.5
Bungoma 14.9
Trans-Nzoia 16.1
Kiambu 16.6
Narok 16.7
Nandi 16.8
Nyandarua 18.4
Kericho 23.6
Baringo 25.1
Elgeyo Marakwet 37.5
Nyeri 38.0
0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0 30.0 35.0 40.0
% FOREST COVER

The 789 km2 of forests in the NEC Counties include the different types
of forests listed below alongside the specific NEC Counties where they
are commonly found:

 Mountain forests - Aberdare Ranges, Mau and Kikuyu escarpment,

 Dry zone forests –Taita hills, West Pokot, Turkana,
 Western rain forests – Kakamega, Nandi and small patches in the
western regions of the country, and
 Coastal forests – Shimba hills and Mkongani.

To meet the national demand for wood products in the country,

plantation forests have been established to reduce pressure on
indigenous forests. They are managed by public and private entities
and are distributed throughout the country. Together with indigenous

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-71
 forests they act as water catchments, conservations areas, and wildlife
habitat and provide national heritage. The distribution of Forests
(vegetation), Forest Ranges and Mangroves in the NEC is shown by
Figure 5.38.

Figure 5.38 Forests, Forest Ranges and Mangrove Forests in the NEC

There different forest and vegetation types in the NEC covering an area
of 28,756.2 km2. The different vegetation and forest types comprise their
total area in the NEC as follows:

 Closed Shrubs (3.10%)

 Closed to open woody vegetation (thicket) (9.47%)
 Closed trees (13.37%)
 Closed trees on temporarily flooded land (1.41%)
 Mangrove (Trees) (0.17%)
 Multi-layered trees (broadleaved evergreen) (0.76%)
 Open low shrubs (40-65% crown cover) (45.26%)
 Open shrubs (40-45% crown cover) (15.68%)
 Open trees (40-65% crown cover) (7.26%)
 Very open trees (15-40% crown cover) (3.53%)

Kenya has gazetted several Forest Reserves (FR) for conservation and
sustainable management purposes due to the economic and ecological
significance of forests. These FRs are protected by EMCA, WMCA and
the Kenya Forests Act (2005), whereas the latter places them under the

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-72
management of KFS. The FRs traversed by the NEC are identified and
discussed in Section 5.4.4.

5.4.2.1.6 Marine Flora

In the marine eco-region mangrove forests and seagrass beds are

amongst the important floral species and ecosystems. These are
discussed in the subsections herein.

1. Mangroves
Mangroves are distinctive coastal ecosystems that are highly
productive areas making them important economically and socially.
They are estuarine and occur in protected habitats where the
seawater and freshwater mix. They provide fish habitat and are
source of materials such as locally used wood. They are important
nurseries and breeding sites for a variety of marine species of
economic importance and other that contribute to the food chain.
UNEP, (2011) calculated the value of mangroves in Gazi Bay based
on the following goods and services:

 Direct Use Values (DUV): fishery, timber, eco-tourism, research

and education, aquaculture and apiculture;
 Indirect Use Values (IUV): shoreline protection, carbon
sequestration and biodiversity, and
 Existence Values (EV): which signifies the value of mangroves
in an undamaged state

The study calculated a Total Economic Value (TEV) of USD

1,092/Ha. This was divided as follows: DUV = 20%; IUV = 25%;
and EV = 55%. The Kenya coast has an estimated area of 530 km2 of
mangrove forests and those within the NEC are displayed in Figure
5.29 and Figure 5.38 . The dominant mangrove species in Kenya
include among others:

 Rhizophora mucronata (Red mangrove),

 Avicennia marina (Grey or white mangrove),
 Ceriopstagal (Tagal mangrove), and
 Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (Large leafed mangrove or oriental
mangrove).

2. Seagrass Beds
Seagrass beds occur along the entire coastline of Kenya, usually
adjacent to or associated with coral reefs from the inter-tidal zone
down to a depth of 20 m or more. They serve as an important
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI
5-73
 habitat for many species and as a sediment trap thus keeping coastal
beaches pristine. Seagrass beds provide a habitat for many species of
fish, octopi and holothurians. Many of these species are of
commercial importance. Seagrass beds are also the feeding grounds
for endangered species such as the green turtle, the hawksbill turtle
and the dugong. Artisanal fishing and commercial trawling
activities often concentrate on seagrass beds.

Thirteen species of seagrass have been recorded in Kenya, none of

which are endemic. These species are in the IUCN Red List wherein
only Zostera capensis is categorized as VU and the other as LC.
However, the most abundant species in Kenya are Cymodocea ciliata
and Thalassia hemprichii which are found mostly on hard substrate
covered to some degree by sand. They root firmly in the substrate
and can withstand high wave action. C. ciliata does not do well in
sheltered creeks away from the open sea. It reaches its maximum
development in locations where it is never exposed by low tides. T.
hemprichii does sometimes occur in sheltered places where it
assumes luxuriant growth and may root to considerable depth. It
becomes stunted in areas where it is uncovered by low tides.

In the reef and the lagoon environment Thalassodendron ciliatum

(Cymodocea ciliata) is the predominant species, forming dense
undersea meadows. Another abundant species is Thalassia
hemprichii. The extensive growth of the above seagrasses constitutes
a substantial part of the biomass found in lagoons, and provides
food and shelter for a variety of organisms. Without the sand
binding effect of these and similar plants the lagoon environment
would not have been habitable for many of the organisms which
now can be found there. It is possible that juveniles of spiny lobsters
are among the animals benefiting from the particular habitats
shaped by these plants.

Seagrass distribution along the Kenyan coast has not been mapped.
UNEP, (1998)2 shows that seagrass beds occur throughout the 600
km-long Kenyan coastline in sheltered tidal flats, lagoons and
creeks, with the exception of the coastal stretch adjoining the Tana
Delta.

3. Invasive Species
According to the Global Invasive Species Database (GISD), Kenya
has documented at least 61 invasive species to present day (2016).
These comprise the 26 animals, 2 bacteria, 2 fungi, 30 plants and 1

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-74
 virus listed in Table 5.121. The emergence of invasive species is
considered to be caused by climate change, pollution, poor
agricultural practices or intentional and unintentional introduction1.
These invasive species have caused negative impacts on
biodiversity, agriculture and human development which have
included amongst others:
 Loss of capital and income including increasing agricultural
costs,
 Loss and reduction of agricultural yields,
 Loss of native biodiversity,
 Creation of hazards such as birds at airports, and
 Loss of pasture.

Table 5.12 Documented Invasive Species in Kenya

Fauna
Mammals Arthropods Coral
Myocastor  Cactoblastis cactorum Tubastraea coccinea (Colonial
coypus (Swamp (Cactus Moth, Prickly Cup- Coral, Orange–Cup
Beaver, Coypu Pear Moth) Coral, Orange-Tube Coral)
Rat, Coypu Rat,  Ceratitis capitate
Nutria, Nutria (Meditarranean Fruit
Rat) Fly, Medifly)
Molluscs
 Gonipterus scutellatus
Achatina fulica (Giant African
(Eucalyptus Snout
Snail, Giant African Land
Beetle, Eucalyptus,
Snail, Kalutara Snail)
Eucalyptus Weevil)
 Orthezia insignis (Croton
Bug, Kew Bug,
Jacaranda Bug, Latana
Blight)
 Paratrechina longicornis
(Crazy Ant)
 Pheidole megacephala (Big
Headed Ant, Coastal
Brown Ant, Lion Ant,
Brown House Ant)
 Procambarus clarkia (Red
Swamp Cray Fish,
Louisiana Cray Fish)
 Scyphophorus
acupunctatus (Acapiche
Del Nardo, Agave
Billbug, Agave Snout
Weevil Agave Snout-

1 GISD, (2016). Retrieved March 08, 2016 from http://www.iucngisd.org

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-75
 Nosed Beetle, Agave
Snout-Nosed Weevil,
Agave Weevil Black
Weevil, Sisal Bore, Sisal
Weevil)
 Tapinoma melanocephalum
(The Ghost Ant)
 Trogoderma granarium
(The Khapra Beetle)
Fish Birds Reptiles
 Ctenopharyngodon  Corvus splendens  Hemidactylus frenatus
idella (White (House Crow, (Common House Gecko,
Amur) Indian House Pacific Gecko,
 Cyprinus carpio Crow, Colombo Medittaranean House
(Common carp, Crow) Gecko)
baby Carp, wild  Myiopsitta  Ramphotyphlops braminus
carp, scale carp) monachus (Monk (Flower Pot Snake,
 Gambusia affinis Parakeet, quaker Brahminy Blind Snake)
(Western parrot)
Mosquito Fish)  PsittaculaKramer
 Micropterus (Rose Ringed
salmoides (Large Parakeet, Ring
Mouth Bass) Ringed Prakeet)
 Oncorhynchus
mykiss (Rain Bow
Trout, Steelhead,
Redband Trout)
 Oreochromis
mossambicus
(Mozambique
Tilapia)
 Poecilia reticulate
(Guppy,
Millionfish,
Rainbow Fish)
 Salmo trutta
(Brown Trout,
Sea Trout)
Flora
 Acacia farnesiana (Needle  Lantana camara (Lantana, Tick Berry)
bush)  Leucaena leucocephala (White Lead
 Acacia longifolia (Long Tree)
Weaved Battle, Acacia  Macfadyena unguis-cati (Cats Claw
Trinervis, Aroma Vive, Funnel Creeper, Macfadyena,
Doble, Golden Wattle, Coas, Cats Claw Trumpet)
Wattle, Sallow Wattle,  Mimosa pigra (Giant Sensitive Tree,
Sydney Golden Battle) Mommosa, Black Mimosa, Thorny
 Acacia melanoxylon Sensitive Plant, Cat Claw Mimosa)
(Australlian Backwood, Sally

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-76
 Wattlr, Light Wood, Hickory)  Physalis peruviana (Cape Goose Berry,
 Acanthophora spicifera (Red African Ground Cherry)
Alga, Boeloeng)  Prosopis (Honey Mesquite)
 Agave Americana (Century  Psidium guajava (Guava, Guiaba,
plant, Maguey, American Djamboe)
Aloe)  Rubus niveus (Mysore Raspberry, Hill
 Bidens pilosa (Begger Ticks, Rasp Berry, Caylon Rasp Berry)
Spanish Needle, Black Jack)  Salvelinus fontinalis (Trout, Brook
 Caesalpinia decapetala (Shoofly, trout)
Mauritius, Mysore thorn)  Salvinia molesta (Kabira Weed, Giant
 Cenchrus clandestinus (Kikuyu Salivinia)
Grass, West African  Scaevola sericea (Beach Naupaka, Half
Pennisettum) Flowers, Fun Flowers)
 Cryptostegia madagascariensis  Setaria verticillata (Bur Grass, Brstly
(Madagascar Rubber Vine, Foxtail, Bristle Hooked Grass, Rough
Indian Rubber Vine, Palay Bristle Grass)
Rubber Vine, Purple  Tradescantia fluminensis (Small Leaf
Allamanda) Spider Wort, Creeping Christian,
 Cyperus rotundus (Java grass, Spider Wort, Inch Plant, Wandering
nut grass, purple nut sedge, Williwe, Wandering Trad, Water
red nut sedge) Spider Wort)
 Dalbergia sissoo (Northern  Tradescantia spathacea (Moses in a
Indian Rose Wood) Basket, Moses in A Boat, Boastlilly,
 Eichhornia crassipes (Water Oyster Plant, Three Men in a Boast)
Hyacinth)  Verbena brasiliensis (Bzazillian
 Gracilaria Salicornia (Red Verbena, Gin Case, Brazillian Vervain)
Algae)
 Halophila stipulacea
(Halopholla seagrass)
 Imperata cylindrical (Blady
grass, Cogon grass)
Bacteria Fungi
 Vibrio cholera (Asiatic  Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Chytrid
Cholera) Frog Fungi, Chytridiomycosis, Frog
 Yersinia pestis (Bubonic Chytrid Fungus)
Plague)  Phellinus noxius (Brown Root Rot)
Virus
West Nile Virus

Source: GISD, (2016)1.

5.4.2.1.7 Species of Commercial Value

1. Terrestrial Species
There several species of fauna and flora that are either traded,
produce goods or are part of services that are traded in the NEC,
country and export markets. These are the species of commercial

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-77
 value in which distinctions exist within their nature since some of
these species are domesticated and others are wild. In this respect,
three categories of commercial species are considered with the first
two categories being sector based. The two sectors are agriculture
and livestock, and tourism in which this study regards the outputs
achieved through the different trade sectors (goods and services)
involving these species as value. It is noted that there are numerous
species with commercial value in these two sectors thus the sectoral
approach is preferred. The third category of species encompasses
wild species identified to be exploitable by national regulations and
authorities.

The agriculture sector (livestock included) is considered to be the

backbone of Kenya’s economy contributing 27.3% of GDP and
employing about 75% of the working population in 2014. Crops
contributed 19.7% of GDP and, forestry and other support services
contributed 1.9% of GDP. This is the value of domesticated crops
through the sector. The key commercial crops in Kenya and NEC
include: tea, coffee, maize, rice, cotton, sugarcane and horticultural
crops. On the other hand, livestock and inland fisheries contributed
4.46% and 0.8% of GDP in 2014 respectively. Key commercial
livestock species include amongst others: cattle, goats, sheep, pig,
poultry and fish1.

Through the tourism sector wild fauna and flora species create value
since they are part of the attractions in the country. These species
include those within the boundaries of protected areas as well as
outside. Signature species in the country include: elephant, buffalo,
lion, cheetah, primate, rhino, crocodile and hippopotamus amongst
others. The tourism sector yielded KES 84.1 Billion in 2014 from
domestic and foreign tourists. Part of this value was generated from
the 2,164,600 people who visited national parks and reserves in that
year2. This signifies the commercial value of the ecosystems, flora
and fauna in these protected areas.

The 10th Schedule of the WCMA permits the exploitation of specific

flora and fauna species in Kenya. These species are therefore
regarded to be of commercial value or potential in the least. Table
5.13 identifies the commercially exploitable species under the
WCMA and KWS’s recommendations. They are reared or grown for
consumptive and ornamental purposes.

1 MoALF, (2015). Economic Review of Agriculture 2015.

2 KNBS, (2015). Economic Survey 2015.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-78
 Other species of wild flora and fauna of commercial value or
potential in the country which can be found in the NEC include,
amongst others:
 Acacia seyal and Acacia senegal: The exudate of these trees is
known as Gum Arabic when hardened. It is used in the food,
pharmaceuticals, printing, ceramics, and textile industries where
it functions as an emulsifier, stabilizer, emulsifier, flavouring
agent, thickener, or coating agent1.
 Sclerocarya birrea (Marula Tree): Its fruit is used in making cream
liqueur, juice and cosmetics.

Table 5.13 Commercially Exploitable Wildlife Species in Kenya

Fauna
Terrestrial Avifauna
Fauna Flora
 Butterfly  Ostrich  Aloe
 Chameleon  Pigeon  Ocimum kilimanscharicum
 Crocodile  Doves (Camphor basil)
 Frog  Ducks  Osyris lanceolate (East African
 Lizard  Helmeted Sandalwood)
 Reptile Guinea fowl  Prunus Africana (Red Stinkwood)
 Snail  Vulturine  Mondia whytei (White’s Ginger
 Snake Guinea fowl (mkombera))
 Tortoise  Quelea
 Bees
 Wild silk
moths

Source: Republic of Kenya, (2013)2 and KWS, (2016)3.

2. Marine Species
In the marine eco-region commercial valuable species include:
marine fauna, mangroves and seagrass. Wild fauna in the marine
environment form part of the tourist attractions in the coastal region
and thus has a similar economic contribution as wild terrestrial
fauna. Some of the signature species of fauna in the Kenyan marine
eco-region include: Cetaceans, Sea turtles and corals amongst others.

Marine fisheries play an important role to national and regional

economies, and livelihoods in the coastal zone of the NEC. This is
despite being overshadowed by inland fisheries. Species landed

1 Vellema W., Mujawamariya G. and D'Haese M., (2014). Gum Arabic Collection in Northern
Kenya: Unexploited Resources, Underdeveloped markets. Afrika Focus - Volume 27, Nr. 1, 2014
- pp. 69-86.
2 Republic of Kenya, (2013). The Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013.
3 KWS, (2016). Wildlife species for which game farming may be allowed.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-79
 include: demersals, pelagics, crustaceans, molluscs, and sharks and
rays. It is estimated that marine fisheries contributed 0.44% of
Kenya’s GDP in 2014 [1].

Figure 5.39 displays the trend in value earned from marine fisheries
in Kenya between 2010 and 2014. In addition, ornamental or
aquarium fishing is practised along the coast of Kenya. In 2009, an
estimated 250,000 fish were exported through the trade, primarily
from Kilifi, Shimoni, Shelly beach, Kanamai, Nyali, Diani and
Kikambala. Species involved in this trade include Angelfish,
Anemonefishes, Butterflyfish, Damselfish, Anthiases and Corals1.

Mangroves and seaweed are exploited commercially in the coastal

zone of the NEC. Mangroves trees provide timber used for
construction as part of their DUVs. Seaweed is grown primarily in
the South Coast (Kwale) targeting local and foreign markets. Dried
seaweed extract, carrageenan, is used in the food, cosmetic and
pharmaceutical industries2.

Figure 5.39 Value of Marine Fish Landings 2010-2014

Value of Marine Species Landed in Kenya 2010-2014

1 200
1 000
800
KES (10⁶)

600
400
200
-
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Marine Fish Crustaceans Molluscs

1 Okemwa G., Kimani E., Zamu M., Waiyaki E., Muthama C., Ogutu B., Muturi J., (2011). The

Marine Ornamental and Curio trades in the Western Indian Ocean – benefit or threat? KMFRI.
2 Magangi N., Kiema A., Kimanthi A. and Nzioka A., (2011). Development of a Seaweed

Nursery for Kappaphycus alvarezi (cottonii) and Eucheuma denticulatum (spinosum) in the
South Coast of Kenya. KMFRI.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-80
Box 5.7 Constraints - Biodiversity and Ecosystems

Constraints under this topic include the following:

 Mangrove forests and gazetted forests including forest reserves.

These provide valuable ecosystem goods and services and are
protected by national regulations.
 Ecosystems classified endangered by KWS. Their designation is
evidence of their sensitive nature and part of conservation
strategies. Some are PAs and the implementation of the NEC can
increase the threats and pressures they face.
 Protected areas which create a habitat for endangered or threatened
species. These are discussed in Section 5.4.4.

5.4.3 Land Cover

The NEC traverses diverse regions in the country including rural, peri-
urban and urban areas. It intersects Kenya’s primary economic belt
linked by the MR and SGR through the cities and towns of Mombasa,
Nairobi, Nakuru, and Kisumu amongst others. In addition, as noted in
Section 5.4.1 the corridor transects most classes of ecosystems in the
country. Consequently, land cover classes/types in the corridor vary
with the social, environmental and economic characteristics of the
underlying regions.

This study calculates the percentage area occupied in the NEC by the
typical land cover classes used for the MODIS satellite instrument. This
is based on 2012 MODIS data through which it is observed that
grassland, cropland/natural vegetation mosaic, woody savannas and
savannas occupied 39.77%, 23.97%, 10.67% and 9.79% of the NEC
respectively. These land covers occupied the most area, together
comprising 84.2% of the NEC’s area. The least area was occupied by
deciduous and evergreen needleleaf forests (0.0014%). Permanent
wetlands, water, croplands, evergreen broadleaf forests, and urban and
built up areas occupied 0.23%, 4.08%, 3.59%, 3.4% and 0.36% of the
NEC’s area. Figure 5.40 compares the percentage of the total area of
these land cover classes.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-81
Figure 5.40 Land Cover Distribution in the NEC 2012

Distribution of Land Cover in the NEC

45% 40%

Percentage of Total Area of NEC

40%
35%
30%
24%
25%
20%
15% 11% 10%
10%
4% 3% 4% 4%
5% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
0%

Source: NASA LP DAAC, (2014)1

Figure 5.41 shows the spatial distribution of land cover in 2012 using
MODIS data from the Global Land Cover European Space Agency
(GLCESA). It is observed that croplands and natural vegetation mosaic
primarily occurs in the western and coastal regions and some smaller
regions in the central. Urban and built-up areas are in the towns and
cities of Nairobi, Machakos, Nakuru and Eldoret, whilst grasslands and
savannas are predominantly located in the east between Nairobi and
the coastal region.

1NASA Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center (LP DAAC), (2014). MODIS.
USGS/Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-82
Figure 5.41 NEC Land Cover 2012

5.4.3.1 Land Suitability/Potential

Land suitability is determined by both environmental and social factors.

The former category of factors limits the type of land uses that can
occur at any land unit whilst the latter which includes tenure systems
often influence the choice of land use. Such choices are largely based on
the value that can be obtained from land with respect to the capacity of
users. Agriculture remains an important land use in the country since it
employs up to 75% of the population. On the contrary, land tenure
systems and demand driven by population growth contributes to
commoditization of land. Often competing interests exist on land units
particularly in urban and high populated areas. This is observed in that
80% of Kenya’s population is supported by the available arable land
and the ASALs support 20% of the population, 50% of livestock and 80-
90% of wildlife1.

Figure 5.42 shows the land potential/suitability of the NEC Counties

generalized from NEMA, (2011)23 into three classes of potentiality. The
original potentiality classes are informed by, rainfall (water
availability), soil, ACZs and AEZs. According to this system, it is
observed that 39% of the land area has high potential, 58% has
moderate potential and 3% is low potential.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-83
Figure 5.42 Land Potential the NEC

Source: NEMA, (2011)1.

5.4.4 Sensitive and Designated Features

A number of Kenya’s sensitive and designated environmental features

are located in the NEC. These are identified in the subsections herein
through the following categories:

 Protected Areas (PAs)

 Wetlands
 Ramsar Sites
 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS)
 UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserves (MAB)
 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) and Endemic Bird Areas (EBAs)
 Alliance for Zero Extinction Sites (AZE)
 Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot (EAM)
 Flyways
 Corals
 Sandy Beaches
 Sea Turtle Nesting Sites
 Transboundary Resources

This Study notes that several of the PAs in the NEC have multiple
national and international designations. These are identified in this
Section accordingly.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI
5-84
5.4.4.1 Nationally Protected Areas

Protected Areas cover 14% of Kenya’s surface area and are grouped into
8 conservation areas (CAs) by KWS. The NEC intersects the 7 out of the
8 (CAs) in Kenya namely, Western, Mountain, Tsavo, Southern, Coast,
Central Rift and Eastern conversation areas. These CAs include
Protected Areas (PAs) of economic and ecological significance. This is
because they provide a habitat to some of the species at risk in the
country whilst being fundamental to the tourism sector. The ecological
significance of some of these PAs is evidenced by their international
recognition whereby some are classified as Ramsar Sites, World
Heritage Sites, UNESCO Biosphere Reserves or form part of the EAM.
Economically, these PAs contributed to revenues earned from tourism
even in spite of reduced activity in the sector between 2010 and 2014
(The specific nationally gazetted PAs in the NEC are identified using
data from WDPA (2016) and KWS, (2016)1. A total of 163 PAs are
intersected by the NEC with their typology including:

 National Park (NP),

 National Reserve (NR),
 Marine Protected Area (MPA) (Marine National Park and Marine
National Reserve),
 Wildlife Sanctuary (WS),
 Forest Reserve (FR), and
 Private Conservation Area (PCA) and Community Conservation
Area (CCA) – These include Community Conservancy,
Community Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS), Private Reserve (PR) and
Locally Managed Marine Area.

These PAs are protected by national regulations such as EMCA, WMCA

and the Forest Act. The distribution of their typologies is given in Figure
5.44, in which FRs are the most abundant (128) followed by NPs (10)
and Private Reserves (10).

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-85
Figure 5.43). A total of 1,626,300 tourists visited the PAs in the NEC in
2014.

The specific nationally gazetted PAs in the NEC are identified using
data from WDPA (2016)1 and KWS, (2016)1. A total of 163 PAs are
intersected by the NEC with their typology including:

 National Park (NP),

 National Reserve (NR),
 Marine Protected Area (MPA) (Marine National Park and Marine
National Reserve),
 Wildlife Sanctuary (WS),
 Forest Reserve (FR), and
 Private Conservation Area (PCA) and Community Conservation
Area (CCA) – These include Community Conservancy,
Community Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS), Private Reserve (PR) and
Locally Managed Marine Area.

These PAs are protected by national regulations such as EMCA, WMCA

and the Forest Act. The distribution of their typologies is given in Figure
5.44, in which FRs are the most abundant (128) followed by NPs (10)
and Private Reserves (10).

1 UNEP-WCMC and IUCN, (2016). Protected Areas of Kenya. February 2016.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-86
Figure 5.43 Visitors to PAs in the NEC 2010-2014 (1)

NEC PAs Visitors 2010-2014

500

450

400

350

300
VISITORS ('000S)

250

200

150

100

50

0
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Nairobi Nairobi Safari Walk Nairobi Mini Orphanage

Amboseli Tsavo (West) Tsavo (East)
Aberdare Lake Nakuru Haller's Park
Lake Bogoria Shimba Hills Mombasa Marine
Hell's Gate Mt. Longonot Others

1Others include: Arabuko Sokoke, Ol-Donyo Sabuk, Marsabit, Saiwa swamp, Sibiloi, Bamburi,
Chyulu, Ruma National Park, Mwea National Reserve, Central lsland National Park, Kiunga,
Mt. Elgon, Nasolot, Ndere and Kakamega.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-87
Figure 5.44 Distribution of PAs in the NEC

NEC PAs
138

3 12 7 10
1 2 1 2 1

Source: UNEP-WCMC and IUCN, (2016)1.

Figure 5.45 shows the spatial distribution of these protected areas.

Figure 5.45 PAs in the NEC

Source: UNEP-WCMC and IUCN, (2016)1,1.

1 In the dataset used in this map some PAs did not have polygons showing their boundaries but
instead had points. These points were considered in this study since they still show the location
of their respective PAs in relation to the NEC.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-88
This study is guided by IUCN’s Protected Area Category System in
assessing the sensitivity or significance of the PAs in the NEC. This
system defines the following types to PAs:

 Category Ia Strict Nature Reserve: These are strictly PAs set aside
to protect biodiversity and also possibly geological/geomorphic
features, where human visitation, use and impacts are strictly
controlled and limited to ensure protection of the conservation
values. Such PAs can serve as indispensable reference areas for
scientific research and monitoring1.

 Category Ib Wilderness Area: These PAs are usually large

unmodified or slightly modified areas, retaining their natural
character and influence without permanent or significant human
habitation, which are protected and managed so as to preserve their
natural condition.

 Category II National Park: These PAs are large natural or near

natural areas set aside to protect large-scale ecological processes,
along with the complement of species and ecosystems characteristic
of the area, which also provide a foundation for environmentally
and culturally compatible, spiritual, scientific, educational,
recreational, and visitor opportunities.

 Category III Natural Monument or Feature: These are PAs set aside
to protect a specific natural monument, which can be a landform,
sea mount, sub-marine cavern, geological feature such as a cave or
even a living feature such as an ancient grove. They are generally
quite small PAs and often have high visitor value.

 Category IV Habitat/Species Management Area: These PAs aim to

protect particular species or habitats and management reflects this
priority. Many Category IV PAs will need regular, active
interventions to address the requirements of particular species or to
maintain habitats, but this is not a requirement of the category.

 Category V Protected Landscape / Seascape: This is a PA where the

interaction of people and nature over time has produced an area of
distinct character with significant, ecological, biological, cultural and
scenic value; and where safeguarding the integrity of this interaction
is vital to protecting and sustaining the area and its associated
nature conservation and other values.

1IUCN, (2014). IUCN Protected Areas Categories System. Retrieved March 09, 2016 from
http://www.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/gpap_home/gpap_quality/gpap_pacategori
es/

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-89
 Category VI Protected area with sustainable use of natural
resources: These PAs conserve ecosystems and habitats together
with associated cultural values and traditional natural resource
management systems. Most of these PAs are expansive and natural
condition. A proportion of these PAs are under sustainable natural
resource management, where low-level non-industrial use of natural
resources compatible with nature conservation is seen as one of the
main aims of these areas.

5.4.4.2 National Parks

Ten national parks (NPs) are intersected by NEC. Details of these NPs,
including characteristics and number of species at risk supported, are
provided in Table 5.14 as well as Figure 5.46.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-90
Table 5.14 National Parks in the NEC

IUCN Red List Species

Name Category Year County Characteristics CR EN NT VU
Tsavo East II 1948 Kitui, It is part of the Tsavo Conservation Area (TCA) and 11 16 30 41
Kwale, Taita together with Tsavo West NP they form one of the
Taveta, largest protected areas in the world. Tsavo East NP
Makueni expands over an area of 13,747 km2. It supports
Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Hippo,
Crocodile, Waterbuck, Lesser Kudu, Gerenuk and
Hirola. It is an IBA in which over 500 species of birds
have been documented1. Together with Tsavo West
and Chyulu Hills they form the Tsavo Parks and
Chyulu Complex which are being considered for
designation as a WHS.
Tsavo II 1948 Kajiado, This NP is part of TCA and covers an area of 7,065 km2 15 16 29 42
West Kitui, which features a transboundary protected ecosystem.
Makueni, Species supported by this NP include: Leopard,
Taita Taveta Cheetah, Wild dog, Buffalo, Rhino, Elephant, Giraffe,
Zebra, Lion, Crocodile, Mongoose, Hyrax, Dik- dik,
Lesser Kudu and Nocturnal Porcupine. Tsavo West is
an IBA with over 600 bird species documented within
its boundaries2. This PA features Ngulia Ranch that
supports the Black Rhino to prevent its extinction.
Together with Tsavo East and Chyulu Hills they form
the Tsavo Parks and Chyulu Complex which are being
considered for designation as a WHS.
Chyulu II 1983 Kajiado, This PA is part of TCA and covers an area of 741 km2 10 12 24 39
Hills Taita in the eastern part of Kenya. Document faunal species
Taveta, in this PA include Buffalo, Bushbuck, Eland, Elephant,

1 KWS, (2016). Tsavo East National Park. Retrieved March 16, 2016 from http://www.kws.go.ke/content/tsavo-east-national-park
2 KWS, (2016). Tsavo West National Park. Retrieved March 16, 2016 from http://www.kws.go.ke/tsavo-west-national-park

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-91
 IUCN Red List Species
Name Category Year County Characteristics CR EN NT VU
Makueni Leopard, Giant Forest Hogs, Bush Pig, Reedbuck,
Giraffe, Black Mamba, Puff Adder, Rock Python,
Gecko, Tortoise and Lizard1.

Chyulu Hills is also an IBA and a gazetted water

tower which is a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) of the
EAM. Together with the Tsavo NPs they form the
Tsavo Parks and Chyulu Complex which are being
considered for designation as a WHS.
Nairobi II 1946 Nairobi This PA occupies an area of 117 km2 within Kenya’s 9 16 19 43
capital city. An estimate 100 mammalian species have
been documented in this PA including African
Buffalo, Baboon, Eastern Black Rhinoceros, Bushnell
Zebra, Cheetah, Coke's Hartebeest, Grant's Gazelle,
Hippopotamus, African Leopard, African Lion,
Thomson's Gazelle, Eland, Impala, Masai Giraffe,
Ostrich, Vulture and Waterbuck among others. It is an
IBA which features at least 400 bird species of which
at least 20 are identified to be European migrants2,3.

Nairobi NP supports the second largest annual

migration of large herbivores (wildebeest and zebra).
The PA features a Rhino sanctuary which breeds the
species to restock other PAs4. Adjacent to the PA is
Nairobi’s animal orphanage and safari walk.
Aberdare II 1950 Murang’a, Aberdare NP occupies 765.7 km2 as part of the greater 10 21 29 50

1 KWS, (2016). Chyulu Hills National Park. Retrieved March 16, 2016 http://www.kws.go.ke/content/chyulu-hills-national-park
2 Prins H.; Grootenhuis J.G; Thomas T., (2000). Wildlife Conservation by Sustainable Use. Springer.
3 Trzyna, T., (2014). Urban Protected Areas: Profiles and Best Practice Guidelines. Best Practice Protected Area Guidelines Series No. 22, Gland, Switzerland:

IUCN. xiv + 110pp.

4 KWS, (2016). Nairobi National Park. Retrieved March 16, 2016 from http://www.kws.go.ke/parks/nairobi-national-park

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-92
 IUCN Red List Species
Name Category Year County Characteristics CR EN NT VU
Nyeri, Aberdare ecosystem on the Kikuyu escarpment of the
Nyandarua Eastern Rift Valley. It supports 56 of the 67 tropical
highland species of fauna in Kenya. These include,
amongst others, Elephant, Black Rhino, Leopard,
Spotted Hyenas, Olive Baboon, Black and White
Colobus Monkeys, Buffalo, Warthog, Bushbuck, Giant
Forest Hog, Bongo, Golden Cat, Serval Cat, African
Wild Cat, African Civet Cat and The Blue Duiker. It is
an IBA, located within the Kenya Mountains EBA,
with at least 290 bird species documented1,2.

The montane forest within the Aberdare ecosystem is

one Kenya’s five important gazetted water towers. It is
a KBA of the EAM which is subset of the Mt Kenya –
Aberdare EAM Corridor. Aberdare is under
consideration for designation as a WHS.
Mount II 1968 Bungoma, 169 km2 of the transboundary ecosystem of Mt Elgon 22 15 20 36
Elgon Trans Nzoia is gazetted as a NP in Kenya. The ecosystem, which
has high floral diversity, features the gazetted Mt
Elgon FR. Within the NP, key faunal species are
Elephant, Buffalo, small antelopes, Duiker, Black and
White Colobus, Blue Monkey, and Red-tailed
Monkey3. Mt Elgon is an IBA, located within the
Kenya Mountains EBA, within which 57 bird species
have been documented.

The PA is the last known refuge for Petropedetes dutoiti

1 KWS, (2016). Aberdare National Park. Retrieved March 16, 2016 from http://www.kws.go.ke/content/aberdare-national-park
2 UNESCO, (2010). Aberdare Mountains. World Heritage Centre. Tentative Lists.
3 KWS, (2016). Mount Elgon National Park. Retrieved March 16, 2016 from http://www.kws.go.ke/content/mount-elgon-national-park

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-93
 IUCN Red List Species
Name Category Year County Characteristics CR EN NT VU
(Du Toit's Torrent Frog) (CR) and Otomys barbouri
(Barbours Vlei Rat) (EN), therefore it is a designated
AZE. Moreover, the ecosystem is one of Kenya’s 5
major gazetted water towers. In connection, the
catchment within the ecosystem is a Freshwater KBA
(FWKBA) of the EAM, whilst the montanous
ecosystem is a composite KBA of the EAM. Due to its
uniqueness as a water the ecosystem is also designated
as a UNESCO MAB.
Lake II 1967 Nakuru This NP measures 118 km2 and provides a habitat for 9 14 16 44
Nakuru about 450 species of Greater and Lesser Flamingos. At
least 56 species of mammals have also been
documented in the NP including White Rhino and
Waterbuck. 550 species of flora are known to exist
with the NP including the largest Euphorbia forest in
Africa1.

Due to its support for bird species the NP is an IBA

within the Kenyan Mountains EBA. The lake supports
several endangered species and for this reason it is
designated as a Ramsar Site, in addition to a WHS as
part of the Kenya Lake System in the Rift Valley. It is
also a FWKBA of the EAM.
Ol Donyo II 1967 Machakos Ol Donyo Sabuk NP covers an area of 20.7 km2 which 9 16 4 30
Sabuk supports Buffalo, Leopard, Mongoose, Bushbuck,
Olive Baboon, Colobus Monkey, Vervet Monkey,
Sykes' Monkey, Kirk's Dik-Dik, Bush Pig, Common
Duiker, Reedbuck, Rock Hyrax, Bush Baby, Tree and
Ground Squirrel, Aardvark, Porcupine, Python and

1 KWS, (2016). Lake Nakuru National Park. Retrieved March 16, 2016 from http://www.kws.go.ke/lake-nakuru-national-park

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-94
 IUCN Red List Species
Name Category Year County Characteristics CR EN NT VU
Monitor Lizard. Additionally, over 45 avifaunal
species have been recorded in the NP1.
Hell's Gate II 1984 Nakuru, This NP measures 68 km2 in an area beset with 9 16 21 34
Narok geothermal activity within the Rift Valley. It supports
a range of species including: Giraffe, Eland,
Hartebeest, Buffalo, Gazelles, Antelope, Lion,
Leopard, Cheetah, Klipspringer, Rock Hyrax and
Chanler's Mountain Reedbuck. Avifaunal diversity in
the NP encompasses 103 enumerated species with
notable ones including Vulture, Ragles and Augur
Buzzard. Rare bird species documented in the PA are
the Verreaux's Eagle and the Lammergeyer, Ruppel's
Griffon and Hooded Vultures. The NP is under
consideration for designation as a WHS2.
Longonot II 1983 Nakuru Mt Longonot NP occupies 52 km2 in the Rift Valley, 9 14 16 43
featuring the extinct monolith of Mt Longonot.
Common species observed in the NP are Buffalo,
Eland, Lion, Leopard, Bushbuck, Common Zebra,
Giraffe and Grant’s Gazelles3.

1 KWS, (2016). Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park. Retrieved March 16, 2016 from http://www.kws.go.ke/content/ol-donyo-sabuk-national-park
2 UNESCO, (2010). The African Great Rift Valley - Hell’s Gate National Park. World Heritage Centre. Tentative Lists.
3 KWS, (2016). Mount Longonot National Park. Retrieved March 16, 2016 from http://www.kws.go.ke/content/mount-longonot-national-park

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-95
Figure 5.46 National Parks in the NEC

5.4.4.3 National Reserves

Five National Reserves, whose details are provided in Table 5.15

and Figure 5.47, are traversed by the NEC.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-96
Table 5.15 National Reserves in the NEC

IUCN Red List Species

Name Category Year County Characteristics CR EN NT VU
Ngai Ndethya VI 1976 Kitui, This PA, which is 227 km2 in size and part of TCA, 9 10 20 36
Game Reserve Makueni features savannah grasslands ecosystems. Less than
19 large mammals have documented in this PA, and
between 100 and 200 bird species1.
Lake Bogoria II 1970 Baringo Lake Bogoria NR occupies 107 km2 and features the 10 14 15 40
highly alkaline lake. Its ecosystem supports a diverse
range of species including several which are at risk. It
also supports at least 373 bird species, of which 50 are
migratory notably lesser flamingos, and is thus
designated as an IBA within the Kenyan Mountains
EBA2.

The PA is designated as Ramsar Site and WHS due to

its importance to migratory birds and support for
endangered species. It is also a KBA of the EAM.
Shimba Hills II 1968 Kwale Shimba Hills NR covers 300 km2 and supports Sable 12 17 14 37
Antelope, Elephant, Giraffe, Leopard, Genet, Civet
Cat, Hyena, Waterbuck, Bush Pig, Buffalo, African
Bush Baby, Bushbuck, Coastal Black and White
Colobus, Blue Duiker, Bush Duiker, Red Duiker,
Greater Galago, Black-faced Vervet Monkey, Sykes
Monkey, Serval Cat, Black and Red Shrew, and
Knob-bristled Suni Shrew amongst others. It is an
IBA, within the East Africa Coastal Forests EBA, that
supports at least 111 bird species of which 22 are

1 Moses M.O, Bobby E.W. and Avignon M.M., (2001). Importance of Conservation Areas in Kenya Based on Diverse Tourist Attractions. The Journal of
Tourism Studies Vol. 12, No. 1, May '01 39.
2 WWF EARPO, (2007). Lake Bogoria National Reserve World Ramsar Site No. 1057 Integrated Management Plan 2007-2012.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-97
 IUCN Red List Species
Name Category Year County Characteristics CR EN NT VU
endemic1.

This PA is dually gazetted as a NR and FR. It

provides the last known refuge for Hyperolius
rubrovermiculatus (EN) and is therefore an AZE.
Shimba Hills is also a gazetted water tower which is
a source for the several of the main rivers in Kwale
and the southern regions of Mombasa County.
Shimba Hills is part of the Eastern Arc Coastal
Forests which are in the Tentative Lists of the WHS
Programme.
Kakamega II 1985 Kakamega This PA’s surface area is 44.7 km2 in which over 380 9 14 20 46
species of trees, 330 bird species, 27 species of snakes,
7 primates, over 400 species of butterflies and several
mammals have been documented2. Kakamega forest
is as an IBA in addition to being under consideration
for a WHS designation.
Kerio Valley VI 1983 Baringo This NR occupies 66 km2 in which common species 9 14 20 34
include Crocodile (along Kerio River), Elephant and
several birds3.

1 KWS, (2016). Shimba Hills National Reserve. Retrieved March 16, 2016 from http://www.kws.go.ke/content/shimba-hills-national-reserve
2 KWS (2016). Kakamega Forest Reserve. Retreived March 16, 2016 from http://www.kws.go.ke/content/kakamega-forest-reserve
3 KVDA, (2015). Wildlife Resource. Retrieved March 16, 2016 from http://www.kvda.go.ke/Wildlife.html

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-98
Figure 5.47 National Reserves in the NEC

5.4.4.4 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

MPAs in the NEC include Mombasa Marine National Park (MNP), its
adjacent Mombasa Marine National Reserve (MNR) and Diani MNR.
The details of these MPAs are provided in Table 5.16 as well as Figure
5.48

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

5-99
Table 5.16 MPAs in the NEC

IUCN Red List Species

Name Category Year County Characteristics CR EN NT VU
Mombasa II 1986 Mombasa This MNP occupies an area of approx. 10 km2, located off 9 9 46 85
MNP the coast of Mombasa County. It features sea grasses and
marine algae in terms of vegetation. Marine life includes
crabs, corals, sea urchins, jellyfish, sea stars, sea
cucumbers and different varieties of coral species
comprising of Acropora, Turbinaria and Porites. Seabirds
are also present in large nesting colonies and
internationally significant number of crab plover and
roseate tern1.
Mombasa VI 1986 Mombasa This reserve surrounds Mombasa MNP and stretches 3 4 44 66
MNR over an area of about 194 km2. It shares similar
characteristic vegetation, marine life and birds as
Mombasa MNP described above1.
Diani-Chale VI 1995 Kwale Diani-Chale MNR covers approx. 107 km2 off the coast 13 11 56 105
MNR Kwale County. It was designated as a MNR to protect its
coral reef, coral gardens and fish species2. The diversity
of the fish species comprises at least 350 species3.

1 KWS, (2016). Mombasa Marine National Park and Reserve. Retrieved March 16, 2016 from http://www.kws.go.ke/content/mombasa-marine-national-
park-reserve
2 Kenya County Guide, (2015). Diani/Chale Marine National Park and Reserve. Retrieved March 16, 2016 from

http://kenyacountyguide.com/home/dianichale-marine-national-park-and-reserve/
3 Muthiga N.A., Kawaka J., (2010). Progress Towards Conservation Science for Marine Protected Areas in Kenya: An Annotated Bibliography. WIOMSA Book

Series No. 4, v + 171.

Figure 5.48 MPAs in the NEC

5.4.4.5 Wildlife Sanctuaries

Three wildlife sanctuaries are identified in the NEC. These are

described in Table 5.16 below.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-101
Table 5.17 Wildlife Sanctuaries in the NEC

IUCN Red List Species

Name Category Year County Characteristics CR EN NT VU
Taita Hills Not Reported 1973 Taita This sanctuary occupies 28,000 acres in the Taita 10 13 14 32
Wildlife Taveta Taveta County and was established in 1973. It
Sanctuary provides a habitat for over 50 species of mammals
and 300 species of birds. Notable species in the
sanctuary include, Cape Buffalo, African Bush
Elephant, African Leopard, Masai Lion, Tanzanian
Cheetah, Masai Giraffe, Zebra, Hartebeest, Impala,
Waterbuck, Thomson's Gazelle, Lesser Kudu and
Dik-Dik. The greater ecosystem of Taita Hills is
designated as an AZE since it supports the CR Taita
Apalis.
Ngulia Rhino Not Reported 1986 Taita Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary occupies approx. 91 km2 1 0 0 0
Sanctuary Taveta within Tsavo West NP and was established 1986
with a purpose of breeding the Black Rhino to
restock its population in the wild and in other
sanctuaries1.
Mwaluganje Not Reported 1995 Kwale Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary is located north of 9 9 14 37
Elephant Shimba Hills NR and measures 18 km2 in area and
Sanctuary was established in 1995 to create a corridor for
elephants moving between Shimba Hills National
Reserve and Mwaluganje FR during the mating
season. It is primarily a community conservation
area for elephants.

1 AWF, (n.d). Descriptions & Plan. Black rhinos in danger of extinction. Retrieved March 16, 2016 from http://www.awf.org/projects/ngulia-rhino-sanctuary

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-102
5.4.4.6 Forest Reserves (FRs)

There are 138 FRs intersected by the NEC Table 5.17 and Figure 5.49
identify them according to the regions or wider ecosystems in which
they belong. They are important ecosystems which are protected by
national regulations and some these FRs have globally recognized
designations. The forests within their boundaries provide important
ecosystem goods and services including, carbon sequestration, flood
mitigation, soil erosion prevention, provision of goods (food, wood
fuel, water - some of the FRs are water towers (see Section 5.3.4)),
provision of habitat for wild fauna and avifauna and climate
modulation.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-103
Table 5.18 Forest Reserves in the NEC

Red List Species

Region/Ecosystem Forest Reserves Counties Characteristics CR EN VU NT
Coastal Zone Shimba Hills, Mkongani North, Kwale These FRs are part of the Eastern 12 14 14 37
(East African Mkongani West, Gogoni, Buda Africa Coastal Forests. Shimba
Coastal Forests) and Mwachi and Mwaluganje. Hills, Mkongani North, Mkongani
West and Mwaluganje are part of
the Shimba Hills water tower. The
wider ecosystem of the coastal
forests is part of the habitat of:
Diceros bicornis (Black Rhino) (CR),
Loxodonta africana (Savanna
Elephant) (EN), Lycaon pictus
(Wild dog) (EN) and Hyperolius
rubrovermiculatus (EN)1.

The Shimba Hills forests,

including Mkongani forests, have
a heterogeneous mosaic of
vegetation, including grassland,
scrub and exotic plantations as
well as forest. Six major forest
types have been documented,
including tall Milicia forest on the
deep soils on the plateau top (in
Longomagandi and Makadara
forests, and near Kwale town),
and on the western escarpment;
Afzelia–Erythrophloeum forest,
covering much of the eastern and

1 TFCG, (2006). Coastal Forests of Kenya and Tanzania. Retrieved March 10, 2016 from http://coastalforests.tfcg.org/index.html

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-104
 Red List Species
Region/Ecosystem Forest Reserves Counties Characteristics CR EN VU NT
southern escarpment;
Paramacrolobium forest on
particularly steep scarp slopes to
both east and west; and
Manilkara–Combretum forest in the
lower, western sector of the
plateau1.
Eastern Region Kilungu, Momandu, Ikilisa, Taita Taveta, These FRs are located in arid 20 35 34 79
Kalimani, Kilala, Kiongwani, Makueni, regions of the NEC and contribute
Kioo, Kithendu, Kitoo and to provision water as part of local
Kitumbuuni, Kiu (Ngungu), Machakos. catchments. Despite their local
Kyai, Makongo-machakos, importance and small size, they
Mutula, Ndatai, Nduluni-kalani, are at risk of deforestation mainly
Tulimani, Utangwa, Utunene, through unsustainable harvesting
Waiya, Mbooni North, Mbooni of forest products. Details on the
South, Kenze, Katende, Kibwezi, flora and fauna species are limited
Kitondu, Kyemundu, Makuli- on these FRs.
nguuta, Nthangu, Nzaui,
Kibwezi and Kasigau.
Nairobi Region Kamiti, Kiambu, Karura, Ngong Kajiado, These forests are located within 9 19 19 47
Road, Ololua, Ngong Hills, Nairobi, and the urbanscapes of Nairobi and
Dagoretti, Embakasi and Kiambu. Kiambu Counties. Two key
Nairobi Arboretum. services provided by these FRs
include regulation of the urban
climate and provision of
recreation space. They key
characteristics are as follows:

 Karura FR: Comprises of

1 BirdLife International, (2016). Important Bird and Biodiversity Area factsheet: Shimba Hills.Retrieved March 16, 2016 from www.birdlife.org

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-105
 Red List Species
Region/Ecosystem Forest Reserves Counties Characteristics CR EN VU NT
forest plantations (630 Ha) and
indigenous trees (260 Ha). The
forest plantations include
species such as Araucaria
cunninghamii, Grevillea robusta,
Eucalyptus saligna, E. globule,
Cupressus torulosa and
Cupressus lusitanica.
Indigenous trees include Olea
europeae subsp. auspidata,
Croton megalocarpus, Warburgia
ugandensis, Brachyleana
huillensis, Uvaridendron
anisatum, Markhamia lutea,
Vepris nobilis, Juniperus procera
(Cedar), Craebea brownii,
Newtonia buchananii, Salvadora
persica, Ficus thonningii,
Trichilia emetica, Calondendrum
capense and Dombeya goetzenii.
Shrubs such as Strychnos
henningsii (Muteta),
Erythrococca bongensis
(Muharangware), Vangueria
madagascariensis (Mubiro),
Rhamnus prinoides
(Mukarakinga), Caesalpinia
volkensii (Mubuthi), Solanum
incanum (Mutongu, Sodom
Apple), Elaeodendron

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-106
 Red List Species
Region/Ecosystem Forest Reserves Counties Characteristics CR EN VU NT
buchananii (Mutanga) and
Rhus natalensis (Muthigio) are
also found1.

 Ngong Road FR: Occupies

1,224 Ha within which 600 Ha
is the Ngong Road Forest
Sanctuary. The sanctuary
comprises of indigenous forest
with at least 316 plant species2.
Dominant trees include
Eucalyptus, Pine, Cyprus,
Croton and Cordia.

 Ololua FR: This FR is located

in the Karen suburb and
covers 250 Ha with
indigenous trees. Notable flora
includes Olea africana,
Eleodendron, buchananii,
Akokanthera schimperi,
Brancylaena species, Croton,
Megalocarpus, Carisa edual,
Rhus natalensis, Aloe and
Acacia3.

1 Friends of Karura, (2016). Ecology: Climate & Soils, Plants & Animals. Retrieved March 16, 2016 from http://www.friendsofkarura.org/the-karura-forest-
researve/ecology-climate-soils-plants-animals/
2 Ngong Forest Sanctuary, (2016). Conservation. Retrieved March 16, 2016 from www.ngongforest.org
3 CCN, (2007). City of Nairobi Environment Outlook.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-107
 Red List Species
Region/Ecosystem Forest Reserves Counties Characteristics CR EN VU NT
 Nairobi Arboretum: Extends
over 30 Ha and holds over 350
tree species. It was established
in 1907 to reduce pressure on
indigenous tree species during
the construction of the East
Africa Railway and was later
gazetted in 19371. Nairobi
Arboretum provides a habitat
to over 100 species of resident
and migrant birds. Notable
mammals in the Arboretum
are Vervet and Sykes
monkeys.
Kikuyu Nyamweru, Kingatua, Muguga, Kiambu, These FRs are located within the 21 39 51 94
Escarpment and Aberdare, Kikuyu Escarpment, Nyandarua, Central Highlands along the
Aberdares Magumo North, Magumo Murang’a, Kikuyu Escarpment of the Eastern
Ecosystem South, Kirima, Muruai, Kipipiri Laikipia and Rift Valley. The key characteristics
and Ol-bolossat. Nyeri. of the main FRs in this region are
provided below.

 Aberdare FR: This FR largely

surrounds Aberadare NP and
is adjacent to Kikuyu
Escarpment FR (south) and
Kipipiri FR (west). It measures
approx. 947 km2. Within the
forest a total of 778 species,
sub-species and varieties of

1 Nature Kenya, (n.d). Nairobi Arboretum. Retrieved March 16, 2016 from http://www.naturekenya.org/content/nairobi-arboretum

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-108
 Red List Species
Region/Ecosystem Forest Reserves Counties Characteristics CR EN VU NT
vascular plants belonging to
421 genera and 128 families,
have been documented. It has
four key vegetative zones
whose distribution
determined by climatic
conditions and altitude. These
are: Sub alpine vegetation,
Montane humid forest,
Xeromorphic evergreen forest,
and Sub-montane forest1.

 Kikuyu Escarpment FR: This

FR occupies an area of 413
km2, south of Aberdare FR.
The forest comprises of mixed
montane forest with its major
block having a closed canopy
whilst other habitats in the FR
include forest and agro-
industrial plantations, and
savanna bamboo montane
vegetation2.
 Ol-bolossat FR: It is located to
the north east of Aberdare FR
and covers an area of about 32
km2. Its vegetation types rage
amongst natural forest,

1 KFS, (2010). Aberdare Forest Reserve Management Plan.

2 BirdLife International, (2016). Important Bird and Biodiversity Area factsheet: Kikuyu Escarpment Forest. Retrieved March 16, 2016 from www.birdlife.org.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-109
 Red List Species
Region/Ecosystem Forest Reserves Counties Characteristics CR EN VU NT
plantations, glades and
bushes1.
Mau Escarpment Eldoret I and II, Kapchorua I, Uasin Gishu, These FRs or forest blocks form 24 44 60 103
(Mau Forest Nabkoi, Kapsaret, Kijabe Hill, Nakuru, the Mau Forest Complex and
Complex) and West Molo, Molo, Bahati, Eburu, Kericho, Cherangani Hills forests. These
Cherangani Hills Mau Narok, Menengai, Nakuru, Elgeyo forests provide a habitat
Ol-pusimoru, Southern Mau, Marakwet, threatened species in addition to
Eastern Mau, Western Mau, Bomet, and being amongst the main water
Londiani, Northern Tinderet, Baringo. towers in the country. Their
Tingwa Hill, Tumeya, characteristics are given below:
Kapchorua IV, Cheboit,
Chemurokoi, Kapchemutwa,  Mau Forest Complex: These
Kaptagat, Kessop, Kipkabus forests cover 4,047.21 km2
(Uasin/Gishu), Kipkabus (Elg- comprising of the following
Marak), Kiptaberr, Sogotio, forest blocks: Chemorogok,
Transmara, South-western Mau, Eastern Mau, Eburu, Kilombe
Chebartigon, Chepkuchumo, hill, Lembus, Londiani, Maji
Kaptimom, Kinyo, Lembus, Mazuri, Western Mau, Maasai
Mtarakwa, Sanao, Sekenwo, Mau, Mau Narok, Molo,
Tarambas Hill, Mukobe, Northern Tinderet,
Kabarak, Chemorogok, Kilombe Olposimoru, Olposimoru
Hill, Kimojoch, Maji Mazuri, Excision, South West Mau,
Marmanet, Metkei, Mount South Mau, Tinderet,
Londiani, Perkerra Catchment, Transmara, West Molo, West
Timboroa and Tinderet. Mau, and Nabkoi. They are
the source for rivers in the
Lake Victoria and Mara
basins1. This complex forms
the largest closed canopy

1 KWTA, (2014). Status of Water Towers Volume II.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-110
 Red List Species
Region/Ecosystem Forest Reserves Counties Characteristics CR EN VU NT
forest in the country1.
Vegetation patterns range
amongst broad altitudinal
zonation, lower montane
forest, thickets of bamboo
Arundinaria alpina mixed with
forest and grassland, and
finally to montane
sclerophyllous forest near the
escarpment crest2.

 Cherangani Hills: These hills

comprise 12 protected (FR)
forest blocks namely Kapolet,
Cheboyit, Chemurkoi,
Embobut, Kaisungor, Kerrer,
Kipkunur, Kiptaberr, Sogotio,
Toropket, Kapkanyar and
Lelan. Jointly they cover 2,811
km2 and are amongst the
country’s major water towers.
The main vegetative cover in
the ecosystem is closed
canopy forest whilst other
vegetation types and land
cover types are distributed
amongst bamboo, scrub, rock
outcrops, grassland,

1 UNEP, (2008). Mau Complex and Marmanet forests, Environmental and economic contributions, Current state and trends.
2 BirdLife International, (2016). Important Bird and Biodiversity Area factsheet: Mau Forest Complex. Retrieved March 16, 2016 from www.birdlife.org

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-111
 Red List Species
Region/Ecosystem Forest Reserves Counties Characteristics CR EN VU NT
moorland, cultivated areas
and plantations of exotic
species. The ecosystem
contains an IBA within the
Kenyan Mountains EBA, and
is also part of the EAM1,2.
North Rift Valley Kitale Township, Kitale, Trans-Nzoia, These FRs contain the rainforests 23 28 40 75
and Western Kaptaroi, Ururu, North Nandi, Nandi, in Western Kenya and North Rift
Regions South Nandi, Taressia, Buyanga, Kakamega Valley. The characteristics of the
Kisere, Malaba, Bunyala, Lugari, and major FRs are as follows:
Turbo, Kakamega, Mount Elgon Bungoma.
and Sekhendu.  Kakamega FR: This FR covers
an area of about 181 km2 and
is considered to be the
easternmost outlier of the
Guinea-Congolian forest and
the only remaining tropical
rainforest in Kenya3.
Vegetation within the FR
includes closed canopy
indigenous forest, grassy and
bushed glades (some natural,
some maintained by fire or
grazing), tea, cultivation and
plantations of softwoods and
commercially valuable

1 BirdLife International, (2016). Important Bird and Biodiversity Area factsheet: Cherangani Hills. Retrieved March 16, 2016 from www.birdlife.org
2 KFS, (2015). Cherangani Hills Forest Strategic Ecosystem Management Plan 2015 -2040.
3 Piritta P., (2004). Forest Types of Kenya. In: Pellikka, P., J. Ylhäisi & B. Clark (eds.) Taita Hills and Kenya, 2004 – seminar, reports and journal of a field

excursion to Kenya.
Expedition reports of the Department of Geography, University of Helsinki 40, 8-13. Helsinki 2004, ISBN 952-10-2077-6, 148 pp.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-112
 Red List Species
Region/Ecosystem Forest Reserves Counties Characteristics CR EN VU NT
hardwoods1,2.

 South and North Nandi FRs:

These FRs are located on the
Nandi escarpment. Covering
199 km2 and 112 km2
respectively. They are
transitional between the
lowland forests of West and
Central Africa and the
montane forests of the central
Kenya highlands. Vegetation
within these forests vary
amongst tea plantations in
settled areas, plantations of
exotic trees, closed canopy
forest (majority of their area
and indigenous in North
Nandi), scrub and grassland
or cultivation3,4.

 Mt Elgon FR: This FR covers

about 607 km2. The forest
comprises of montane forest,
wooded grassland, bamboo
and alpine moorland on the

1 BirdLife International, (2016). Important Bird and Biodiversity Area factsheet: Kakamega Forest. Retrieved March 16, 2016 from www.birdlife.org
2 KFS, (2012). Kakamega Forest Ecosystem Management Plan 2012-2022.
3 BirdLife International, (2016). Important Bird and Biodiversity Area factsheet: South Nandi Forest. Retrieved March 16, 2016 from www.birdlife.org
4 BirdLife International, (2016). Important Bird and Biodiversity Area factsheet: North Nandi Forest. Retrieved March 16, 2016 from www.birdlife.org

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-113
 Red List Species
Region/Ecosystem Forest Reserves Counties Characteristics CR EN VU NT
eastern slopes of the
mountain. Vegetation within
the wider Mt Elgon ecosystem
is determined by altitude. The
wet montane forest is
dominated by Olea capensis
and Aningeria adolfi-friedericii
grading into Olea–Podocarpus
falcatus forest, a zone of mixed
Podocarpus and bamboo
Arundinaria alpina, and the
Hagenia abyssinica zone with
giant heath Erica arborea and E.
trimera elgonensis. Afro-alpine
moorlands occupy the highest
parts of the mountain, with
tussock grasses. Open wooded
grasslands cover part of the
lower, drier north-eastern
slopes. The remaining regions
are forest and moorland and
are part of the FR. In the
north-eastern region is
wooded grassland which is
unprotected1.

1 BirdLife International, (2016). Important Bird and Biodiversity Area factsheet: Mount Elgon (Kenya). Retrieved March 16, 2016 from www.birdlife.org

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-114
Figure 5.49 Forest Reserves in the NEC

5.4.4.7 Private Conservation Areas (PCAs) and Community Conservation

Areas (CCAs)

PCAs and CCAs in the NEC are listed below and their locations are
shown in Figure 5.50. This study notes there is limited information
available from secondary sources on the sensitivities and other
characteristics of these areas.

 Imbirikani Community Conservancy (Kajiado)

 Esenlenkei Community Conservancy (1983) (Kajiado)
 Motikanju Community Conservancy (2010) (Kajiado)
 Lumo Community Wildlife Sanctuary (2001) (Taita/Taveta)
 South-Western Mau Nature Reserve (1961) (Bomet)
 Boabab Farm Private Reserve (Kilifi)
 Lisa Ranch Private Reserve (Machakos)
 Konza Ranching and farming Co-operative Private Reserve
(Makueni)
 Chololo Ranch Private Reserve (Nakuru)
 Enganani Ranch Private Reserve (Nakuru)
 Galana Ranch Private Reserve (Kitui)
 Mbulia Group Ranch Private Reserve (1993) (Taita Taveta)
 Kisima Farm Rumuruti Private Reserve (Nyeri)
 Dawida Ranch Private Reserve (1987) (Taita Taveta)
 Tarda Emali Ranch Private Reserve (Makueni)

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-115
 There are two Locally Manage Marine Areas (LMMA) in the NEC. They
are:

 Kuruwitu (2003) (Kilifi)

 Majoreni (2011) (Kwale)

Figure 5.50 PCAs and CCAs in the NEC

5.4.4.8 Wetlands

Wetlands are areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or

artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing,
fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of
which at low tide does not exceed six metres1. They include riparian
areas adjacent to the wetlands as shown by Figure 5.51 which gives a
representation of wetland vegetation types across a gradient of
decreasing wetness.

Kenya has six classes of wetlands including, marine, estuarine,

lacustrine, palustrine, riverine and human made wetlands. These
wetlands occupy approx. 14,000 km2 of the country’s land area and
each of the classes of wetlands exist within the NEC.

Figure 5.52 shows those mapped within the NEC. Of these wetlands,
Lakes Nakuru, Elementaita and Naivasha are considered to be

1Ramsar Convention Secretariat (2013). The Ramsar Convention Manual: a guide to the
Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971), 6th ed. Ramsar Convention Secretariat, Gland,
Switzerland.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-116
 wetlands of the international importance (“Ramsar Sites”) under the
Ramsar Convention. Ramsar sites are discussed in the next subsection

Table 5.18 identifies and describes major wetlands traversed by the

NEC. The basin and sub-basin in which they are located, key
land/wetland uses, pressures and impacts are identified in this table.

Figure 5.51 Wetland Vegetation in Relation to Wetness Gradient

Source: NEWP (2012) as cited in MEMR (2012)1.

1 MEMR, (2012). Kenya Wetlands Atlas.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-117
Figure 5.52 Wetlands in the NEC

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-118
Table 5.19 Characteristics of Wetlands in the NEC

Basin/Sub- Major Land/Wetland Uses Pressures Impacts

Basin Wetlands
L Victoria R Yala  Fishing  Inappropriate  Pollution
North R Nzoia  Large-scale farming land use and  Land cover
Sio-Siteko  Mining overutilization loss
 Harvesting papyrus reeds  Conversion of  Invasive
 Brick making wetlands to species
 Forestry agricultural land  Reduced water
 Conservation (Kakamega Forest)  Unsustainable quantity and
 Tourism and recreation exploitation of quality
 Irrigation resources  Biodiversity
 Power production  Land subdivision loss
 Artisanal products and fragmentation  Flooding
L Victoria R Nyando  Fishing  Reduced
South  Large-scale farming fisheries
 Mining
 Harvesting papyrus reeds
 Brick making
 Pastoralism
 Forestry
 Conservation (Ruma,
 Ndere island)
 Energy
 Water supply
 Recreation
 Artisanal products
Rift Valley L Nakuru  Conservation  Urbanization  Pollution
L Naivasha  Mining  Inappropriate  Soil
 Fishing land use erosion/siltatio
 Forestry  Conversion of n

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-119
Basin/Sub- Major Land/Wetland Uses Pressures Impacts
Basin Wetlands
 Pastoralism land for  Loss of
 Energy - geo and hydro power  agriculture land/forest
 Ranching  Unsustainable  cover
 Tourism and recreation exploitation of  Overgrazing
 Irrigation resources  Reduced
 Increased demand quantity and
for resources  quality of
 Land subdivision water
and fragmentation
Ewaso Ng’iro L Ol-Bolossat  Large-scale commercial farms  Inappropriate  Pollution
North R Amala  Pastoralism land use  Soil erosion /
 Ranching  Overutilization of siltation
 Wildlife conservancies water  Overgrazing
 Oil and gas exploration  Conversion of  Reduced water
 Forestry land to agriculture volume
 Grazing  Overstocking of
 Water supply livestock
 Fish farming  Settlements
 Tourism  Loss of catchment
forests
 Increased demand
for resources
 Reduced water
levels
 Land subdivision
and fragmentation
Tana -  Large-scale farming  Inappropriate  Pollution
 Conservation land use  Soil
 Irrigation  Overutilization of erosion/siltatio
 Pastoralism water n

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-120
Basin/Sub- Major Land/Wetland Uses Pressures Impacts
Basin Wetlands
 Mining-sand  Conversion of  Overgrazing
 Fishing land to  Reduced water
 Quarrying  agriculture volume
 Forestry  Overstocking of  Loss of critical
 Hydropower generation livestock habitats and
 Recreation  Conversion of species
 Water supply land to  Reduced
settlements hydrological
 Loss of catchment capacity
forests
 Increased demand
for resources
 Reduced water
levels
 Land subdivision
and fragmentation
Athi R Athi  Wildlife conservation area (Nairobi  Over-exploitation  Acute water
R Nairobi National Park, Tsavo Conservation Area, of surface and scarcity due to
R Ramisi Shimba Hills) groundwater high water
 Industrial use resources. demand
 Farming (subsistence and commercial)  Wetlands  Limited
 Pastoralism resources ground water
 Livestock ranching degradation recharge
 Mining (sand, limestone)  Unregulated  Changing river
 Fishing diversions of river regime
 Forestry channels  Pollution of
 Energy - wind and thermal water supply  Catchment water
 Nature conservation and recreation degradation due resources from
 Irrigation to overgrazing industrial
 Salt harvesting and sand effluents, and

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-121
Basin/Sub- Major Land/Wetland Uses Pressures Impacts
Basin Wetlands
 Dry season grazing harvesting. agricultural
 Cultural and spiritual use  Land use changes and domestic
 Watering points for livestock for settlement and waste
 Wastewater treatment agriculture
 Fishing  Climate change
and variability

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-122
Figure 5.53 compares the areas occupied by water bodies in the NEC
Counties. Siaya County has the largest area occupied by water bodies
and Nairobi the least. However, given as a percentage of the total area
of the county, Bungoma County has the lowest percentage whilst Siaya
still has the highest.

In addition to being protected against degradation and pollution by

national regulations, wetlands play important social, economic and
environmental roles through the ecosystems services they provide.
They are unique ecosystems which provide all four classes of
ecosystems services namely, provisioning, regulating, supporting and
cultural services. Despite this, wetlands face threats of degradation
from anthropogenic factors including climate change1. This study
therefore considers wetlands to be constraint features in the NEC since
additional pressure from infrastructure development can potentially
lead to degradation.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-123
 Figure 5.53

Area (sq Km)

-
1 000
1 500
2 000
2 500

500
Baringo
Bomet
Bungoma
Busia
Elgeyo Marakwet
Kajiado
Kakamega

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

Kericho
kisumu
Kitui
Kwale
laikipia
Murang'a
Nakuru
Nandi
Narok
Nyandarua
Nyeri
Siaya
Taita Taveta
Distribution of Water Surface Areas in the NEC Counties

Trans-Nzoia
Uasin Gishu
NEC Counties Water Resources Surface Area

5-124
Vihiga
Mombasa
Kilifi
Makueni
Nairobi
Machakos
JST/MOTI Kiambu
5.4.4.9 Ramsar Sites

Kenya has six wetlands declared Ramsar Sites (wetlands of

international importance) under the Ramsar Convention. Four of these
sites namely Lakes Bogoria, Nakuru, Naivasha and Elementaita are
intersected by the NEC. These lakes are part of the Great Rift Lakes in
Kenya. The details behind their Ramsar designation are below (the year
of designation is elucidated in parenthesis):

 Lake Bogoria (2001): The Lake provides critical refuge for the
Phoenicopterus minor (Lesser Flamingo), with a population of 1 to 1.5
million. It supports over 300 waterbird species whilst the shoreline
fringe of the lake and associated acacia woodland provide critical
habitat for the endangered Tragelaphus strepsciseros (Greater Kudu)
and other mammals1. Lake Bogoria is also a NR.

 Lake Nakuru (1990): The ecosystems within the site support

globally endangered mammal species such as the black rhino and
hippo in addition to regionally endangered bird species like the
African darter, Great egret, the range-restricted Grey-crested
Helmet-shrike, the Lesser kestrel and the Madagascar pond heron. L
Nakuru supports over 450 avian species and about 70 waterbird
species, including 1 million flamingos. Archaeological caves used by
early man are also found in the area2. L Nakuru is also a NP.

 Lake Naivasha (1995): This site provides a habitat for globally

threatened species including Prionops poliolophus (Grey‐crested
Helmet‐shrike), Acrocephalus griseldis (Basra Reed Warbler).
Regionally threatened species supported by L Naivasha include the
Great Crested Grebe, Maccoa Duck, African Darter, Great Egret,
Saddle‐billed Stork, White‐backed Duck, Baillon’s Crake and
African Skimmer. Populations of Hippopotamus are also found
within the lake. The lake supports a diverse waterbird community,
with more than 80 waterfowl species and over 400 total avian
species3. L Naivasha is a county managed PA.

 Lake Elementaita (2005): This Lake supports several species falling

into different conservation categories as threatened, vulnerable and
endangered at local, national, regional and international levels.
These include the Lesser and Greater Flamingo. Other threatened

1 Ramsar, (2001). Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS) - Lake Bogoria. Ramsar Site
Information Service.
2 Ramsar, (2005). Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS) - Lake Nakuru. Ramsar Site

Information Service.
3 Ramsar, (2005). Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS) – Lake Naivasha. Ramsar Site

Information Service.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-125
 species are Great Crested Grebe, Great White Pelican, Great Egret
and Maccoa Duck. L Elementaita supports over 450 bird species that
include approximately 80 waterfowl species. It is considered to
support 1% of East Africa’s flamingo population estimated at 1.5
million1. L Elementaita is a county management PA.

Figure 5.54 shows the location of these sites in relation to the NEC.

Figure 5.54 Ramsar Sites in the NEC

5.4.4.10 World Heritage Sites (WHSs)

Under the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural

and Natural Heritage (1972), several sites are designated to be World
Heritage Sites (WHS). These sites are considered to be of outstanding
value to humanity. Kenya has 6 WHS of which the 3 explained below
with their inscription year in parenthesis are intersected by the NEC:

 Fort Jesus (2011): This site was designated due to its cultural and
historical value. The Fort was built by the Portuguese in 1593-1596
to the designs of Giovanni Battista Cairati to protect the port of
Mombasa. It is one of the well preserved examples of 16th
Portuguese military fortification and a historical landmark in its
type of construction. The property covers an area of 2.36 hectares

1Ramsar, (2005). Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS) – Lake Elementaita. Ramsar Sites
Information Service.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-126
 and includes the fort's moat and immediate surroundings. It
represents an exchange of cultural values amongst people of
African, Arab, Turkish, Persian and European origin. In addition,
The Fort exemplifies a new type of fortification that resulted from
the innovations in military and weapons technology that occurred
between the 15th and 16th centuries1.

 Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley (2011): Comprises of

the three inter-linked relatively shallow lakes, L Nakuru, L Bogoria
and L Elementaita. The lakes were added to the list because they
present an appealing range of geological and biological processes in
the landscape of the Great Rift Valley. The lakes create a habitat of
up to 4 million Lesser Flamingos which migrate amongst them.
They provide the main nesting and breeding grounds for Great
White Pelicans whereas their terrestrial zones contain important
populations of many mammal and bird species that are globally or
regionally threatened. They are support to over 100 species of
migratory birds and support globally important populations of
Black-Necked Grebe, African Spoonbill, Pied Avocet, Little Grebe,
Yellow Billed Stork, Black Winged Stilt, Grey-Headed Gull and Gull
Billed Tern. The property makes a critical contribution to the
conservation of the natural values within the Great Rift Valley, as an
integral part of the most important route of the African-Eurasian
Flyway System2

 Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests (2008): Consist of 11 separate

forests spread over 200 km along the coast. 4 of these forests
intersect the NEC, namely Kayas Chonyi, Ribe, Jibana and Kambe in
Kwale. Kayas are remains of fortified villages of the Mijikenda
people. They are revered as the repositories of spiritual beliefs of the
Mijikenda people and are seen as the sacred abode of their
ancestors. The kayas are designated as a WHS since they have
metonymic significance to Mijikenda and are a fundamental source
of Mijikenda's sense of being. Since they have been transferred from
the domestic to spiritual sphere, the biodiversity in the Kayas has
been sustained due to restrictions on access and use of their natural
forest resources. The Kayas are associated with beliefs of local and

1 UNESCO, (2011). Cultural Properties - Fort Jesus, Mombasa (Kenya). UNESCO World
Heritage Committee Decision: 35 COM 8B.19.
2 UNESCO, (2011). Natural Properties - Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley (Kenya).

UNESCO World Heritage Committee Decision: 35 COM 8B.6.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-127
 national significance, however they are under threat due to decline
in traditional knowledge and practices1.

Figure 5.55 WHSs in the NEC

5.4.4.11 UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserves

UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserves (MAB) are areas comprising
either terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems designated to promote
solutions reconciling the conservation of biodiversity with its
sustainable use. They are special places for testing interdisciplinary
approaches to understanding and managing changes and interactions
between social and ecological systems, including conflict prevention
and management of biodiversity.

Mt Elgon, which was designated as a MAB in 2003 due to its

importance as a water tower, is the only MAB in the NEC. It is a
volcanic massif and water tower with high plant diversity. Mt Elgon
has cultural significance to over 100,000 people, who live in its
neighbourhood, depending on subsistence and commercial cropping,
pastoralism, and ecotourism. The biosphere reverse covers about
208,821 Ha, comprising Mt Elgon National Park (16,916 ha) which
forms the core area; the Mt Elgon Forest Reserve and Chepkitale NR,
together forming a buffer zone of 90,905 Ha; and a 10 km strip of

1UNESCO, (2009). Examination of Nominations and Minor Modifications to The Boundaries of

Naturel, Mixed and Cultural Properties to The World Heritage List - Sacred Mijikenda Kaya
Forests (Kenya). UNESCO World Heritage Committee Decision: 32 COM 8B.50.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-128
 intensively used land in the foothills of the mountain range, covering
approx. 101,00 Ha [1]. Mt Elgon’s ecosystem intersects both Kenya and
Uganda and it is thus a transboundary biosphere reserve. Figure 5.56
displays the Kenyan section of the Mt Elgon MAB Reserve.

Figure 5.56 Kenyan Section of the Mt Elgon MAB Reserve

5.4.4.12 Important and Endemic Bird Areas

An Important Bird Area (IBA) is designated by BirdLife International as

a site that is known or thought regularly to hold significant numbers of
a globally threatened species, or other species of global conservation
concern. The designation applies where the species are either CR, EN or
VU according to IUCN Red List assessment method. VU species apply
when threshold numbers are existent at the site. IBAs are usually small
and often located in PAs or EBAs. LC, DD and NR species can also
trigger an IBA classification if they are biome-restricted species (Criteria
A3) or if they form threshold congregations (Criteria A4) 2. Kenya has
66 IBAs and 26 of them are located in the NEC.

An Endemic Bird Area (EBA) is a site where two or more species of

restricted range (with world distributions of less than 50,000 km2),
occur together. This is because more than 70% of such species are

1 UNESCO, (2004). Biosphere Reserve Information. Kenya. Mt Elgon. UNESCO MAB Biosphere
Reserves Directory. The MAB Programme.
2 BirdLife International, (2016). Global IBA Criteria. Retrieved March 11, 2016 from

www.birdlife.org

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-129
 globally threatened 2. Kenya has eight groups of EBAs from which five
namely, Kenyan Mountains, Serengeti Plains, Kakamega and Nandi
Forests, East Africa Coastal Forests and Tanzania-Malawi Mountains,
intersect the NEC. These EBAs are distributed over 32 specific regions
of which 15 intersect the NEC. Figure 5.57 shows the spatial
distribution of the IBAs and EBAs traversed by the corridor, while Table
5.19 clarifies the number of trigger (threatened) species in each of the
intersected IBAs and EBAs within the NEC Counties.

Figure 5.57 IBAs and EBAs in the NEC

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-130
Table 5.20 Trigger Species in the Intersected IBAs and EBAs

Trigger Species
Name County CR EN VU NT LC NR DD IBAs A41
IBAs
Aberdare Mountains Nyeri 0 2 1 1 39 10 0 N/A 0
Busia grasslands Busia 0 0 1 1 5 0 0 N/A 0
Chyulu Hills forests Kajiado 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 N/A 0
Dandora ponds Nairobi 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 N/A 0
Diani forest Kwale 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 N/A 0
Hell’s Gate NP Nakuru 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 N/A 0
Kakamega forest Kakamega 0 1 1 0 35 4 0 N/A 0
Kaya Gandini Kwale 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 N/A 0
Kaya Waa Kwale 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 N/A 0
Kikuyu Escarpment Kiambu 0 0 1 0 30 9 0 N/A 0
forest
Kinangop grasslands Nyandarua 0 2 0 2 1 0 0 N/A 0
Lake Ol’ Bolossat Nyandarua 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 N/A 0
Lake Elmenteita (2) Nakuru 0 0 0 3 6 0 0 N/A 1
Lake Naivasha Nakuru 0 1 0 1 3 0 0 N/A 1
Lake Nakuru NP Nakuru 0 1 0 2 8 2 0 N/A 1
Machakos valleys Machakos 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 N/A 0
Mau forest complex Bomet 0 0 0 1 39 10 0 N/A 0
Mau Narok - Molo Narok 0 2 0 2 2 0 0 N/A 0
grasslands
Mt Elgon Bungoma 0 1 0 0 46 10 0 N/A 0
Nairobi National Park Nairobi 0 1 0 1 2 0 0 N/A 0
North Nandi forest Nandi 0 0 1 0 21 2 0 N/A 0
Shimba Hills Kwale 0 2 0 4 12 0 0 N/A 0
South Nandi Forest Nandi 0 1 0 0 25 3 0 N/A 0

1 These are congregations of birds under Global IBA Criteria A4.

(2) Also Elementaita

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-131
 Trigger Species
Name County CR EN VU NT LC NR DD IBAs A41
Taita Hills forests Taita/Taveta 2 0 2 1 0 0 0 N/A 0
Tsavo East National Kitui 0 1 0 0 60 1 1 N/A 0
Park
Tsavo West National Taita/Taveta 0 1 0 0 56 1 1 N/A 0
Park
EBAs
Kenyan Mountains Kajiado, Nairobi, Nakuru 0 2 2 1 3 1 0 20 N/A
Serengeti Plains Bomet, Narok, Nakuru, Kiambu, Kericho, 0 0 1 2 3 0 0 6 N/A
Kajiado and Nyandarua
Kakamega and Nandi Kakamega and Nandi 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 N/A
Forests
East Africa Coastal Kwale, Kilifi and Mombasa 0 4 1 1 0 0 1 7 N/A
Forests
Tanzania-Malawi Taita Taveta 4 7 7 4 10 5 0 1 N/A
Mountains

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-132
 5.4.4.13 Alliance for Zero Extinction Sites

The Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) is a joint initiative of

conservation organizations around the world. It was formed with a
purpose of preventing extinctions by identifying and safeguarding key
sites, each one of which is the last remaining refuge of one or more
Endangered or Critically Endangered species. An AZE site is
designated if it meets the tri-fold criteria of: Endangerment (a CR or EN
species exists), Irreplaceability (the site is the only area where the CR
or EN species occurs), and Discreteness (the area has a definable
boundary in the context of its neighbourhood)1.

In the NEC, 3 out of Kenya’s 5 AZE sites are located. These are
identified in Table 5.20 alongside the CR or EN species.

Table 5.21 AZEs in the NEC

AZE County Species

Mount Bungoma  Petropedetes dutoiti (Du Toit's Torrent Frog)
Elgon (CR)
 Otomys barbouri (Barbours Vlei Rat) (EN)
Taita Hills Taita Taveta  Boulengerula niedeni (Sagalla Caecilian) (CR)
 Apalis fuscigularis (Taita Apalis) (CR)
 Suncus aequatorius (Taita Shrew) (CR)
 Turdus helleri (Taita Thrush) (CR)
Shimba Kwale  Hyperolius rubrovermiculatus (EN)
Hills

Source: Alliance for Zero Extinction, (2013)2.

5.4.4.14 Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot

The Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot (EAM) comprises

several scattered and biogeographically similar mountain ranges in
Eastern Africa, from Saudi Arabia and Yemen in the north to Zimbabwe
in the south. Three ancient massifs make up more than 1,000,000 km2 of
the main part of the EAM. These massifs are the Eastern Arc Mountains
and Southern Rift; Albertine Rift, and Ethiopian Highlands. A number
of outlying mountains are also part of this hotspots, including the
Neogene volcanic of the Kenyan and Tanzanian Highlands (e.g. Mt
Kilimanjaro, Mt Meru, Mt Kenya, Mt Elgon, Aberdares Range, and

1 Alliance for Zero Extinction, (2013). AZE Overview. Retrieved March 11, 2016 from
www.zeroextinction.org.
2 Alliance for Zero Extinction, (2013). Kenya AZE Sites.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-133
 other peaks), the Air Mountains (SW Saudi Arabia), the highlands of
Yemen, and the Chimanimani Highlands (Zimbabwe)1.

The hotspot supports close to 7,600 species of plants, of which 2,350 are
endemic. The Eastern Arc Mountains support over 1,100 species of
endemic plant and about 40 endemic plant genera. In addition, 1,300
bird species occur in the EAM, and about 110 of these are found
nowhere else. The Eastern Arc and Southern Rift Mountains form a
single EBA, as defined by BirdLife International1.

The EAM is a habitat to nearly 500 mammal species, more than 100 of
which are endemic to the region. Nearly 350 reptilians are found in the
EAM, of which more than 90 are endemic. The Great Rift Lakes are
located within this hotspot making it important for freshwater fish
diversity and endemism, with more than 890 species of fish, of which
nearly 620 are endemic1.

Eco-regions which comprise of the EAM are defined as either

Terrestrial Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA), Freshwater KBA (FWKBA) or
EAM Corridors. KBAs are sites of global significance for the
conservation of biodiversity (globally threatened species, restricted-
range species, biome-restricted species assemblages or congregatory
species). They are identified nationally using simple, globally
standardised criteria and thresholds, based on the needs of biodiversity
requiring safeguards at the site scale. They extend BirdLife’s IBA
concept to other taxonomic groups and it thus follows that all IBAs are
KBAs. On the other hand, EAM Corridors are broad-scale landscape
units that include clusters of KBAs 2. The NEC intersects the KBAs and
Corridors listed in Table 5.21 and Figure 5.58.

Table 5.22 EAM KBAs and Corridors in the NEC

Terrestrial KBAs Freshwater KBA EAM Corridors

 Lake Bogoria NR  Lake Nakuru  Mt Kenya – Aberdare
 Aberdare Mountains  Mount Elgon Mountains
 Kikuyu Escarpment Catchment
Forest
 Mau Forest Complex
 Mau Narok-Molo
Grasslands
 Taita Hills Forests
 Cherangani Hills

1 CEPF, (2011). Eastern Afromontane Ecosystem Profile Summary. Conservation International.

Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund.

2 BirdLife International, (2008). What are Key Biodiversity Areas? Retrieved March 11, 2016

from http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/sowb/casestudy/88.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-134
 Terrestrial KBAs Freshwater KBA EAM Corridors
 South Nandi Forest
 Kinangop Grasslands
 Lake Ol' Bolossat
 Mukurweini Valleys
 Chyulu Hills
 Mount Elgon
(Kenya)

Figure 5.58 EAM KBAs and Corridors Intersected by the NEC

Source: CEPF, (2011)1.

5.4.4.15 Flyways

The East Asia/East Africa flyway, which is used by 331 known

avifaunal species, intersects Kenya and the NEC. On this flyway typical
journey follow a predominantly north-south axis, linking breeding
grounds in the arctic and temperatre regions with non-breeding sites in
in temperate and tropical areas. Numerous birds that breed in the mid-
Palaearctic choose to embark on a much longer south-westerly
migration to Africa rather than spending the northern winter directly to
the south. Two main migration routes have been identified south
through equatorial eastern Africa. Species such as the Barn Swallow,
Willow Warbler and Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio) prefer a route
through Uganda and the L Victoria basin, whilst others, such as the
Marsh warbler, Trush Nightingale (Luscinia luscinia) and Basra Reed-
warbler (Acrocephalus griseldis) pass further to the east through the
Kenyan highlands. The return migration in spring is relatively rapid

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-135
with many birds completing the entire journey from the southern
tropics to their northern breeding grounds in six weeks1.

5.4.4.16 Coral Reefs

The total area of Kenya’s coral reefs (warm water corals) is estimated at
50,000 Ha. These reefs are divided into two main areas – a fairly
continuous 200 km long fringing reef along the south coast extending
from Malindi to Shimoni and patch reefs (exposed and protected), and
fore reef slopes in north coast from Lamu to the Somali border (See
Figure 5.59). In both areas, hard substrate patches with coral growth are
interspersed between extensive seagrass and algal beds. Coral cover is
typically about 30% within these patches, and the reef’s complexity and
diversity is higher in the south decreasing northward past Lamu due to
increasing influence of the cold-water Somali current system2.

In the south, the narrow 200 km long fringing reef continues into the
Tanzanian coast. It colonized the shallow part of the continental shelf
along half of Kenya’s coastline from about mean sea level to a depth of
20-25 m and at a distance of between 500 m and 2 km offshore.
Exceptions exists where river systems create high turbidity and low
salinity conditions, which limit coral growth. As a result of these
conditions, estuaries and deltas along the coast are instead
characterized by extensive mangrove forests.

This Study identifies 198 Red List species of corals belonging to 53

genera, within the NEC’s marine region, distributed amongst the
assessment categories as shown by Figure 5.59. These coral are stony
corals whereas other important reef building organisms include soft
coral and coralline red algae (or calcareous algae). In the general, the
coral species are similar to other part of the Western Indian Ocean.
They are dominated by Porites sp. assemblages in calm water and
Acropora sp. assemblages in high energy environments. Stony coral
cover averages between 30-40% of all corals in the Kenyan Coast

1BirdlifeInternational (n.d). East Asia/East Africa Flyway.

2 IUCN/UNEP, (1985).

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-136
Figure 5.59 Distribution of Red List Corals

NEC Red List Coral Distribution

120 106
100

80
Species 61
60

40 26
20
5
0 0 0 0 0
0
DD LC NT VU EN CR EW EX NR

Cold water reefs are found in dark, deep waters with temperatures
between 4°-13°C. Cold-water corals are still being studied but are
potentially located in all seas and at all latitudes. There are only six
identified coral species that are able to build reefs (vs. approximately
800 warm-water species). Most cold water reefs are comprised of just 1-
2 species. These reefs provide habitat and feeding grounds for a range
of deep-water organisms. Their full ecological importance is still
unknown. These reefs are at risk from bottom fisheries, oil and gas
exploration activities, placement of pipelines and cables and pollution.

Cold-water reefs have been identified off the coast of East Africa, near
Madagascar, and are potentially present off the coast of Kenya. They
have however not been identified in the NEC’s offshore area.

5.4.4.17 Sandy Beaches

Two types of sandy shores are present along the Kenyan coast:

 Gentle to steep sandy beaches without protection from reef

barriers and often backed by one or more series of wind-blown
sand dunes; and
 Gently sloping, usually sheltered behind a fringing reef, and
common along the coast, south of Ungwana Bay (typical
examples are Diani Beach and Tiwi Beach).

Species diversity on sandy beaches is usually low, with few burrowing

crabs and amphipods. The density and diversity of crabs, bivalves,
polychaetes and other marine invertebrates, increases in the inter-tidal
zone, but remain low compared to most other habitats. Stranded debris
in this zone may attract a variety of foraging waders and other birds.
Sandy beaches are considered sensitive because on top of being tourist

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-137
attractions they serve as nesting sites for sea turtles. This is discussed in
the next section under which Figure 5.60 displays the sandy beaches
intersected by the NEC.

5.4.4.18 Sea Turtle Nesting Sites

Three of the five species of species of sea turtles in Kenya nest on

Kenyan beaches. These are the green turtle, the hawksbill turtle and
more rarely, the olive ridley. They nest on a variety of beach types with
the basic requirements for a good nesting site are easy accessibility
to/from the sea and beach sand text that is fine enough to prevent
excessive slippage whilst the nest is being constructed. Other
considerations are the nature of the offshore approach, the slope of the
beach and the beach front vegetation. Although much progress has
been made in identifying key nesting sites, there has been inadequate
information on the status and extent of sea nesting beaches along the
Kenyan coast. This information is important in conservation decision
making.

Large numbers of migratory sea turtles - the loggerhead (Caretta caretta)

and leatherback (Demochelys coriacea) which can reach two meters in
length and weigh 500 kg - also forage in Kenyan waters, especially
around Wasini island at the south coast of Kenya. Other nesting areas
on the Kenyan Coast include Mpunguti ya chini, Funzi island,
Msambweni, Chale, Diani, English Point and Serena beach.

The predominant threats on sea turtle nesting beaches are shoreline

developments such as sea walls, soil erosion, predation (by humans,
crabs and birds), and human activity (such as fishing, tourism and
recreation). Figure 5.60 shows key sea turtle nesting sites in the NEC
although it is important to note that all sandy beaches can be
considered to be potential turtle nesting sites.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-138
Figure 5.60 Sandy Beaches and Turtle Nesting Sites

5.4.4.19 Transboundary Resources

Transboundary natural resources are identified and explained in the

Sections below.

5.4.4.19.1 Lake Victoria Catchment

Lake Victoria is a transboundary catchment shared amongst Uganda

(16%), Kenya (22%), Tanzania (44%), Rwanda (11%) and Burundi (7%)
(see Figure 5.61). The lake itself occupies an area of 178,710 km2 within
its catchment area of 499,870 km2. As a result of this size, L Victoria
plays a vital role in the ecology of the entire East African region. It
supports numerous fish and bird species, including the crested crane
and the Sitatunga, a globally threatened species of water antelope1.

L Victoria shapes regional weather patterns thus playing an important

ecological role. Its surface temperature is significantly correlated to the
basin-wide spatial distribution of rainfall through frictional and thermal
contrasts between lake surfaces and the adjoining land areas,
(Mukabana and Pielke 1996 as cited in Kelly L. (2009)1. Moreover, it is a
source of moisture and latent heat, both of which drive the tropical
climate in its surrounding area. As compared to other large inland
lakes, L Victoria effect on temperature and climate is more significant

1Kelly L. (2009). Cooperation and Competition: Managing Transboundary Water Resources in

the Lake Victoria Region

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-139
 due to its high altitude. This contributes to the strong wind circulations
in the region. Changes to this system and correlation can have a major
impact on the agricultural productivity of the region, (Anyah and
Semazzi (2004) as cited in Kelly L. (2009). The main rivers of L Victoria’s
catchment include Rivers Yala, Nzoia, Nyando and Sio, and which are
intersected by the NEC.

Figure 5.61 Lake Victoria Catchment

Source: Kelly L. (2009)1.

5.4.4.19.2 Mt Elgon Ecosystem

Mt Elgon is an extinct volcano that rises to 4,321 m asl covering an

approx. area of 4,000 km2 between Kenya (Bungoma and Trans Nzoia
Counties) and Uganda (Kapchorwa, Sironko and Mbale Districts). A
larger portion of the ecosystem is located in Uganda (314,394 Ha) as
compared to Kenya (236,505 Ha), and about 2 million people are
estimated to live around the ecosystem’s neighbourhood1.

Mt Elgon is the source of Rivers Nzoia and Turkwell, this importance as

a water tower is the reason why it was designated as a MAB in 2003.
The entire ecosystem supports 37 globally threatened species (22
mammals, 2 insects and 13 birds) and it is also a designated AZE site. In

1KWS, (2011). Mt Elgon Transboundary Ecosystem. Western Conservation Area, Kenya.

Presentation by Anastasia Mwaura. Biodiversity Department, KWS.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-140
 addition, there are several PAs gazetted in the ecosystem on both sides
of the border. These PAs include: Mt Elgon NP and Namatale Central
Forest Reserve (CFR) in Uganda; and Mt Elgon NP, Mt Elgon FR and
Chepkitale NR in Kenya 1. Figure 5.62 shows the PAs within Mt Elgon’s
ecosystem.

Mt Elgon also features a trans-boundary volcanic aquifer shared

between Uganda and Kenya. It occupies and area of 5,400 km2 which
had 806,500 inhabitants by 2013[1,1].

Figure 5.62 Mt Elgon Protected Areas

5.4.4.19.3 Sio-Siteko Wetland

The Sio-Siteko Wetland is located on the Kenya-Uganda border,

intersecting Busia County and District in Kenya and Uganda (Figure
5.63). It is part of the wider Sio-Malaba-Malakisi catchment and it
consists of a number of interconnected secondary and tertiary wetland
subsystems which drain into L Victoria. R Sio’s source is Mt Elgon and
its length and catchment area are 85 km and 1,338 km2 respectively. The
wetland provides important ecosystems goods and services including
storage and purification of water, food (fish), construction materials
and supports agricultural activities1, 1, 1.

1IWMI, (2013). Transboundary Aquifer Mapping and Management in Africa. CGIAR. Research
Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-141
 The catchment and linked wetlands provide a habitat for several
species including 206 plants, 29 fish, 25 mammals, 8 reptiles and several
invertebrates. It is an IBA in which over 300 bird species have been
documented. These birds have included the globally threatened
Laniarius mufumbiri (Papyrus Gonolek) and Circus macrourus (Pallid
Harrier). Notable mammals found in the area include Vervet Monkey,
Otter, Sitatunga, Hippopotamus and Water Mongoose1, 1, 1.

Figure 5.63 Sio-Siteko Wetland

5.4.4.19.4 Western Indian Ocean

The Western Indian Ocean is shared amongst the East African states of
Kenya, Somalia and Tanzania. Its pelagic and benthic habitats support
numerous species some of which are globally threatened. Moreover, it
features numerous coastal and marine PAs in these three countries,
which are considered to be sensitivities by this study. Those PAs along
the coasts of Somalia, Kenya and Tanzania are shown in Figure 5.64.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-142
Figure 5.64 Indian Ocean PAs

5.4.4.19.5 Tsavo West National Park (NP)/Mkomazi NP

Tsavo West, located in southeast of Kenya and traversed by the NEC, is

adjoined to Mkomazi NP at the Kenya-Tanzania border. Although the
region of adjoinment between these two NPs is not intersected by the
NEC, this study considers the entire transboundary ecosystem to of
interest to the NEC. Tsavo West NP is discussed in Section 5.4.4 as a NP
and as an IBA. Mkomazi NP is located north-eastern Tanzania,
stretching over an area of 3,500 km2. Mkomazi NP intersects Umba
Game Reserve (GR), over a region that has a designated IBA. Thus these
two PAs support at least 405 bird species and other endangered species
of fauna such as Loxodonta africana (EN) (which are migratory between
Mkomazi NP and Tsavo West (TCA)), Panthera leo (VU), Acinonyx
jubatus (VU) and Diceros bicornis (CR) (introduced through a special
programme1. Figure 5.65 displays the location of this transboundary
PAs in context of the NEC.

1BirdLife International, (2016). Important Bird and Biodiversity Area factsheet: Mkomazi Game
Reserve. Retrieved March 17, 2016 from www.birdlife.org

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-143
Figure 5.65 Tsavo West and Mkomazi National Parks

Box 5.8 Constraints - Sensitive and Designated Areas or Ecosystems

The sensitive and designated areas or ecosystems, located within the

NEC are classed to be constraints because:

 Despite their ecological and economic significance most of them are

at risk of degradation;
 They are protected by national regulations in that some are
designated as PAs nationally whilst others are also designated
internationally under different classification systems;
 The potential and consequences of degradation can be exacerbated
by the implementation of the NEC MP, and
 Location and or development of infrastructure against the
provisions of their management plans can result in opposition from
local communities and conservation groups and subsequently
reputation losses for the NEC MP implementers.

5.4.5 Anthropogenic Hazards

Kenya’s natural and social resources are placed at risk by a number of

anthropogenic hazards which frequently or continually occur driven by
economic and social factors. Four key hazards are discussed in this

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-144
section namely pollution, climate change, groundwater over-abstraction and
unsustainable land use changes.

5.4.5.1 Pollution

In Kenya, air, water and soil pollution are mainly driven by a growth in
population that is not met with adequate services. This results in
pollution from the: by-products from the manufacture of the goods
demanded by this population, service industry used by this population
and the goods consumed by the same population. Other factors
contribute to the pollution such as the level of technological
advancement of the country, level of awareness, and enforcement of
and compliance with regulations. These drivers are not universal and
they would apply in any combination and interlinked manner for a
particular case of pollution.

Air pollution is primarily caused by emissions from motor vehicles,

emissions from dumpsites, industrial activities, land use changes, civil
and construction activities, combustion of fossil fuels and combustion
of green fuels (firewood, charcoal amongst others). Air pollution affects
both natural resources and humans reducing the quality of life. This
study notes that there has been an increase in cardio-respiratory
diseases in the country, that has been partly attributed to both indoor
and outdoor air pollution1. Lower outdoor air quality has been
documented in the urban and more populated regions in the NEC as
compared to rural and less populated areas. This is attributed to the
high density of people, vehicles and industries. On the contrary, rural
areas have higher preference to firewood as a fuel source and often
have lower indoor air quality. Amongst the NEC Counties firewood is
the main source of cooking fuel whilst tin lamps and lanterns (which
use paraffin) are also the most preferred mode of lighting in these
counties1.

Water and soil pollution are caused by improper disposal of solid

wastes; industrial, domestic and agricultural effluents, and accidental
spills from industries and transportation of hazardous or toxic wastes.
This study notes that Kenya does not have a single sanitary landfill,
therefore solid wastes are by and large not managed sustainably. This
has resulted in growing dumpsites in all major towns and cities such as
Dandora (Nairobi), Mwakirunge and Kibarani (Mombasa), Gioto
(Nakuru) and Mwenderi (Eldoret).

1 KNBS, (2014). Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2014.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-145
Water and soil pollution have a variety of impacts on human health and
natural resources, depending of the characteristics of specific pollutants.
Low access to sanitation in the country is a precursor to these forms of
pollution and contributes to a high prevalence of water-borne diseases.
Water pollution is in addition identified as one of the threats in all the
wetlands and water resources in the NEC that places them at risk of
degradation and reducing their ecological integrity1. On the other hand,
soil pollution or land contamination is a co-factor in land degradation
which lowers land productivity in the country.

5.4.5.2 Climate Change

Climate change is considered to be amongst the most significant threats

facing Kenya. This is even though the country is amongst the low
emitters of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) globally. The country was
estimated to emit 0.33 MTC in 2011[1], meaning that whilst the country
plays a small role toward the emission of GHGs, it is mostly vulnerable
to the associated effects of climate change. Kenya was ranked 154 out of
180 countries in the ND-GAIN2 index in 2014[3]. This is attributed to
prevailing poverty levels which manifests in low coping, resilience and
adaptive capacity in majority of the population which leaves them
predisposed to hazards. The ASAL regions of the country are
particularly most vulnerable since they have the highest poverty levels
across the country. On the broad scale, lack of a comprehensive legal
and policy framework on land management also contributes to Kenya’s
climate change vulnerability. This is because the situation results in
land fragmentation and disparities in ownership which cause conflict
and disincentivize sustainable investments on the lands or conservation
practices1.

Studies have elucidated that the effects of climate change are already
being experienced in Kenya. The country warmed by 1 °C from 1960 to
2010, with projections suggesting that it will rise to 2.5 °C by 2050.
General trends of increases in temperature and reduced rainfall over
long-term means have been observed in the country. These changes
place the country’s economic goals at risk since they have been
associated with short and long-term negative effects on agriculture,
health and tourism. Adding on to this, it is postulated that climate
change would increase the frequency of natural hazards such as floods,

1 World Bank, (2016). CO2 emissions (metric tons per capita). Data on Kenya.
2 The ND-GAIN Country Index summarizes a country's vulnerability to climate change and
other global challenges in combination with its readiness to improve resilience. It measures the
overall vulnerability by considering vulnerability in six life-supporting sectors – food, water,
health, ecosystem service, human habitat and infrastructure.
3 ND-GAIN, (2014). Country Rankings. Retrieved March 23, 2016 from

http://index.gain.org/ranking

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-146
El Nino and drought. Climate change is in addition amongst the co-
factors of land degradation and desertification, especially since 80% of
the country comprises ASALs1.

Another potential effect of climate change is reduction in water

availability due to negative variance in the hydrometeorological
regimes brought about by rising temperatures. Models applied at the
national level predict decreases of 50-150 mm between 2000 and 2025
for most of the country with higher decreses in the ASALs. This would
increase competition for water resources since the country is already
water scarce and has a growing population. About 98% of Kenya’s crop
production is rain-fed and this reliance predisposes the sector and
majority of farmers to the risk of climate change- or climate variability-
induced crop failure. Moreover, women are most vulnerable since they
manage 40% of smallholder farms whilst providing 80% of the labour
for crop production1.

Lastly, sea-level rise along the coast has already been documented
whereas it increases the risks of coastal erosion, loss of coastal wetlands,
loss of agricultural land, infrastructure damages from storm surges and
salt intrusion. It is estimated that sea-level rise in Kenya can result in
losses of 7-58 million USD per year by 2030 and 31-313 USD million per
year by 2050[1].
In summary, the risks and impacts of climate change in Kenya have
been postulated by NEMA (2015) to be those given in the table below.

1Netherland Commission for Environmental Assessment, (2015). Climate Change Profile

Kenya. Dutch Sustainability Unit.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-147
Table 5.23 Summary of Climate Change Risks and Impacts in Kenya

Sector Impacts and Risks

Water Resources This is already affected by inter- and intra-annual rainfall variability, including the extremes of flooding
and drought. Climate change may further reduce the availability of water resources through altered
rainfall patterns, higher evaporation, lower lake levels, accelerated loss of glaciers and rising sea level.
Food Security The agriculture, livestock and fisheries sector is key for Kenya in terms of employment, food security,
livelihoods and economic development. Climate change has the potential to significantly affect
agriculture-based livelihoods by challenging the sustainability of current arable, pastoral and fishing
practices.
Coastal Zones Increases in sea surface temperature, sea level rise and coastal erosion are likely to put additional
pressure on coastal ecosystems, including islands, estuaries, beaches, coral reefs and marine
biodiversity. Coral reef ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts, with
associated consequences for the livelihoods of millions of people depending on those ecosystems for
food, income and shoreline protection. In coastal locations, ports and transport infrastructure is
particularly exposed due to flooding, together with tourism assets and settlements situated close to the
coast.
Human Health Climate change is expected to put human health at risk by exacerbating the magnitude and occurrence
of existing impacts, such as heat stress, air pollution, asthma, vector-borne diseases (such as malaria,
dengue, schistosomiasis – also referred to as swimmer’s itch or snail fever – and tick-borne diseases),
water-borne and food-borne diseases (such as diarrhoeal diseases).
Forestry and Wildlife Anticipated impacts of climate change on biodiversity include shifting of ecosystem boundaries, change
in natural habitats and sharp increases in extinction rates for some species.
Urban and Housing Climate change is likely to make rural livelihood strategies and living conditions increasingly
challenging and as a result is likely to exaggerate the current rural-to-urban migration trend. Specific
risks and challenges for communities, especially those living in urban environments and particularly the
most vulnerable, include river and flash flooding, with flood-related fatalities constituting 60 per cent of
disaster victims in Kenya. Extreme events also have indirect impacts through water scarcity and quality
issues and food insecurity.
ASALs Over the past few decades, transformations in the ASALs have impacted the livelihoods of the
pastoralists. The migration of rural communities from the congested high-potential areas and the dry
arid areas to cities has contributed to overpopulated slums and settlements that lack basic services.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-148
Sector Impacts and Risks
Implications for women included the additional burden of sustaining household food, water and
human security. School attendance rates for children has decreased, child labour increased land conflicts
over resources have intensified in such situations.
Tourism Climate variability and climate change, partnered with broader environmental degradation has the
potential to significantly affect the tourism sector, including wildlife tourism. With its close connections
to the environment and climate itself, tourism is considered to be a highly climate-sensitive industry.
Manufacturing, Impacts to critical supporting infrastructure, such as energy, water, communications and transport,
Transport and trade have the potential to reverberate into the private sector, with consequences for business continuity,
revenue, workforce and associated supply chains. Climate induced changes affecting productivity and
crop diversity, in the tea, coffee and horticulture sectors, have implications for exports and imports
Infrastructure (for Climate change has the potential to compromise infrastructure design, function and performance across
energy and transport) a range of settings. In coastal locations, ports and transport infrastructure is particularly exposed.
Riverine flooding and landslides have the potential to cause significant damage to physical
infrastructure such as roads, bridges, water pipelines and power lines.

Source: NEMA, (2015)1.

1 NEMA, (2015). Kenya Second National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-149
5.4.5.3 Groundwater Over-Abstraction

Groundwater plays a vital role in water supply in Kenya, a water scarce

country. It either supplements surface supplies or in other cases is the
main mode water access. It is observed that amongst the NEC Counties
an average of 27% households per county depend on it as the main
mode of supply1. In spite of its importance it has been observed that
only about 17.3% of the annual available renewable groundwater is
utilized in the country4. However, due to growing demand
groundwater is often abstracted unsustainably particularly in densely
populated areas such as urban areas. It is observed that of the 44,754
boreholes that were existent in Kenya by 2012, 49.2% and 34.6% were
located in the Athi and Rift Valley catchment areas or basins1.

Amongst the dominant drivers of over-abstraction is the country’s

weak legal framework of groundwater management. Kenya does not
have explicit limitations on spacing of boreholes but regulations rather
recommend authorities to establish these limits through evaluations on
groundwater availability. Such evaluations have not been done in the
case of most aquifers and thus abstraction permits are issued on a case
by case basis. Moreover, only one Groundwater Conservation Area
(GCA) has been established in the country and it is not enforced1. This
GCA is in Nairobi.

Potential impacts of over-abstraction include land subsidence, falling

water table, pollution and increased competition for reducing
resources. Increased competition and pollution promote malpractices
such as abstracting groundwater against the conditions of abstraction
permits. In areas such as Nairobi, competition, pollution and
availability of groundwater has led to increases in the depth of
boreholes and establishment of illegal boreholes.

5.4.5.4 Unsustainable Land Use Change

The growth of the population in Kenya post-independence has led to

increases in demand for goods and services provided through land
based resources. This has led to conversion of more land for commercial
and residential purposes in addition to increased consumption of
natural resources. These changes in land use have not been sustainable
on several occasions whilst population growth reduced the amount of
land available per capita reduced from 9.6 Ha in 1950 to 1.7 Ha in
2005[1]. Poor enforcement of regulations and a weak governance
framework on land further challenge sustainable utilization of land.

1Ochillo D., (2012). Groundwater Governance and Policies in Kenya: Institutional Structure and
Legal Settings. WRMA Presentation.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-150
Incompatible land uses thus occur against existing regulations and
policies.

Unsustainable land use changes place the country’s natural resource at

risk of degradation in addition to leading to precarious and illegal
settlements. Documented impacts of unstainable land use changes
include amongst others:

 Loss of biodiversity including in sensitive areas such as forests,

wetlands and PAs
 Habitat degradation
 Increased emissions of GHGs
 Increased run-off
 Reduction in water quality and availability

Hotspots in which land use changes are deemed to be significant in the

NEC include:

 Nairobi NP
 Mlolongo Township
 L Nakuru Ecosystem
 L Naivasha Ecosystem
 The Mau Forest Complex
Source: UNEP, (2009)1.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

5-151
 6 SOCIO-ECONOMIC BASELINE

6.1 INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this Chapter is to describe the socio-economic receiving

environment within which the NEC is located. The baseline provides a
critical contextual component for identifying and assessing any
potential socio-economic impacts of the Master Plan.

The NEC traverses 29 Counties in the main route (as indicated in Box
6.1 and Figure 6.1 below) and 4 Counties in the sub-route (as shown in
Box 6.2) As the coverage area of the NEC Master Plan is so extensive,
the level of baseline information collected is at national and county
levels.

Box 6.1 NEC Counties along the Main Route of the NEC

 Counties that are fully transversed by the NEC main route

include Mombasa, Makueni, Nairobi, Kiambu, Muranga,
Nyandarua, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Kericho, Nandi, Kisumu,
Vihiga, Kakamega Siaya and Busia.
 Counties that are partially transversed by the NEC main route
are Kwale, Kilifi, Kitui, Kajiado, Narok, Nyeri, Laikipia, Baringo,
Elgeyo Marakwet and Trans Nzioa.

Box 6.2 NEC Counties along the Sub-Route of the NEC

 Counties that are traversed by the NEC sub-route are Trans

Nzoia, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet and Turkana

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-1
Figure 6.1 NEC Counties within the Main Route

Information provided in the following Sections is collected from:

 Consultative discussions, specifically stakeholder meetings and Key

Informant Interviews (KII) with high level Stakeholders, and
 Secondary data sources such as County Integrated Development
Plans (CIDP), World Bank Reports, the Kenya National Bureau of
Statistics (KNBS) Reports, Ministry of Health Reports, JST Progress
and Interim Reports, etc.

6.2 PEOPLE AND CULTURE

The Bantu are the largest single group of people found within the NEC
and they are also the single largest population division in Kenya. The
Bantu are mainly farmers. There are three main clusters of Bantu in
Kenya:

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-2
  Those near the Coast and in the plains a short distance inland. These
are mainly the Pokomo, Taita, Makonde, Taveta tribes as well as the
'nine tribes' of the Mijikenda;
 The Central Highlands Bantu, mainly found around Mount Kenya
and the Nyandarua (Aberdare) Range. These are comprised of the
Chuka, Embu and Mbeere, Kamba, Kikuyu, Meru and various
related tribes; and
 Those in and to the north of the Lake Victoria Basin in the far west
of the country, specifically the Gusii (Kisii), Kuria, and the various
Luhya sections (1) .

Although each of these tribes shares Bantu as a root language, their

own languages (of which there are usually many dialects and
variations) are not necessarily mutually understandable.

The second largest group of people within the NEC are the Nilotes. The
Nilotic-speaking tribes comprise the Luo, Maasai, Pokot, Samburu,
Turkana, and many of the subgroups which constitute the Kalenjin.
They mainly occupy the western Kenya's Rift Valley. The Nilotes are
traditionally cattle-herders, although some groups, notably the Luo and
Kalenjin, have converted to agricultural ways of life.

While this classification of people is true for most rural areas and some
smaller towns, the same cannot be said of big towns such as Nairobi,
Nakuru and Mombasa. In these areas, there are diverse people
including other Africans, Arabs, Indians and Europeans who come
from different cultural backgrounds (2).

The two main groups of people in the NEC are Bantus and Nilotes and,
culturally are farmers. Therefore most of the goods expected to
originate from the areas these people occupy will be mostly agricultural
goods; food and cash crops and, live animals and animal products.
Conversely, these groups of people constitute the market for
agricultural inputs as well as a market for industrial consumer goods.

6.3 DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE

6.3.1 Population

According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KBNS) (3),

Kenya’s population is projected to be 47.47 million by 2017, an increase
of over 1.2 million since 2016. The natural increase is expected to be

(1) http://www.bluegecko.org/kenya/contexts/bantu.htm
(2) http://www.bluegecko.org/kenya/contexts/nilotes.htm
(3) KNBS, Population and Housing Census 2009

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-3
 positive, as the number of births will exceed the number of deaths by 1,
247,263.
Table 6.1 below shows the population between 1951 and 2010, while
Table 6.2 shows the Country’s projected population from 2020-2050.

Table 6.1 Kenya's Population 1951-2010

Year 1951 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

Pop. 6,158,56 7,982,96 11,060,0 15,964,6 23,057,2 30,683,5 39,799,1
7 0 92 60 34 30 51

Source: KNBS, 2009

Table 6.2 Kenya's Projected Population 2020-2050

Year 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050

Pop. 52,186,7 58,610,1 65,411,9 72,599,5 80,090,7 87,770,4 95,504,6
22 70 01 75 25 96 36

Source: KNBS, 2009

Box 6.3 Opportunities - Increasing Population

 A growing population can generate economic growth

 The labour force increases if the rise in population has resulted
from an increase in the birth rate or immigration. The expanding
economy industries can recruit new workers to the labour from
this labour force
 If the population is above the optimum size, the country will be
able to make better use of its resources
 A large population translates into a greater domestic market, a
stimulating investment in knowledge and attracting investors
and multinational companies in areas that previously lacked
them

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-4
Box 6.4 Constraints - Increasing Population

 If a country is currently overpopulated and agricultural

productivity is low, there is a risk that the country may not be
able to feed more dependants
 Resources which could have been used to improve living
standards may have to be devoted to the provision of goods and
services for the extra number of dependants in the population
 Increases in population may put pressure on the government to
divert resources from productive sectors to provision of social
services
 More people in a country will exert pressure on natural
resources
 An increase in the number of people of working-age without a
corresponding increase in appropriate skills and jobs will result
in unemployment
 More dependants in the population may result into an increased
burden on the working population and the economy.

6.3.2 Population Density

Within the NEC, high population densities occur in the following

Counties: Mombasa, Nairobi, Machakos, Kiambu, Muranga, Nyeri,
Nyandarua, Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, Kericho, Kakamega, Vihiga, Siaya,
Kisumu, and Bomet. Moderate population densities are found in
Makueni, Uasin Gishu, Nakuru, Tran Nzioa and Nandi Counties. Low
population densities are in Taita Taveta, Kajiado, Narok and Elgeyo
Marakwet Counties (see Figure 6.2).

Box 6.5 Constraint - High Population Density

Densely populated areas within the NEC means that implementation of

some the Development Strategies would require that many people are
displaced and resettled elsewhere and their properties compensated
appropriately. High resettlement and compensation costs can in turn
make the infrastructure projects costly.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-5
Figure 6.2 Population Density in the NEC Main Route

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-6
 6.3.3 Rural to Urban Migration

Approximately 30% of the Kenyan population currently reside in urban

areas. However, the number of people migrating from rural to urban
areas is increasing, for the following reasons:

 It is believed that good jobs are found in the urban areas and
industries in the major towns,
 Better living standards and services in the urban areas, and
 Insecurity, famine and natural disasters in the rural areas.

While the total national population will double by the year 2045, the
urban population will more than quadruple. According to the World
Bank (2010), by the year 2033 the Country will reach a “spatial tipping
point”, when half of the Kenyan population will reside in the urban
areas.

Figure 6.3 Rural and Urban Population in Kenya

Source: World Bank, 2010

Box 6.6 Opportunities - Rural and Urban Migration

 The industrial centres and logistics hubs will have ready semi-
skilled and unskilled labour.
 Agricultural, industrial and mining and oil development projects
will be developed and logistics hubs to reduce the rural-urban
migration trend will be established

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-7
Box 6.7 Constraint - Rural and Urban Migration

 Rural areas are deprived of labour in agricultural sector leading

to decline or slow growth of agricultural output; and families
and cultural bonds break or weaken as the population moves to
the urban areas.
 As the population moves to the urban areas, unemployment
increases, crime rates rise, slums or shanties develop and social
services become inadequate.

6.4 EDUCATION PROFILE

Major urban areas in Kenya have high education levels but there are
very large disparities with regards to levels of education within these
populations. Mombasa, Nairobi, Nakuru, Eldoret and Kisumu all have
gaps between highest and lowest wards in share of residents with
secondary school education or higher levels. In most rural counties,
education levels are lower but the gap, while still large, is somewhat
lower than that experienced in urban areas (1) .

The share of residents with secondary education or higher in Nairobi

(50.8%) is more than that of an average Kenyan County. Conversely,
those living in rural counties are less likely to have any secondary
education compared to an average Kenyan. The proportion of
individuals with secondary education in male headed households is
higher than that for female headed households across all Counties.

The Counties with the highest share of primary education are

concentrated in the Western part of the Country, specifically Siaya,
Vihiga and Busia. Elgeyo Marakwet. Figure 6.4 below shows the
education levels in the Country.

(1) KNBS & SIDS, 2013. Exploring Kenya's Inequality. Pulling Apart or Pooling Together?

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-8
Figure 6.4 Education Levels in Kenya

Source: KNBS and SID, 2013

The percentage of residents by level of education varies from County to

County. The Counties with the highest residents without formal
education are Kwale and Kilifi, while Counties with the lowest
residents without formal education are Nairobi and Kiambu. The
Counties with residents with the lowest level of primary education are
Kajiado and Mombasa and the Counties with residents with the highest
level of primary education are Kitui, Nyandarua, Elgeyo Marakwet,
Nandi, Busia and Kericho. The Counties with residents with the lowest
level of secondary education are Kwale and Mombasa and Counties
with residents with the highest level of secondary education are
Nairobi, Kiambu and Mombasa.

Table 6.3 below shows the percentage of residents within the NEC and
their levels of education, while Figure 6.5 presents the national levels of
education between 1970 and 2050.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-9
Table 6.3 Percentage of Residents by Level of Education (in %)

County No Primary Seconda County No Primary Seconda

educati educati ry educati educati ry
on on educatio on on educatio
n n
Mombas 17 46 37 Narok 38 51 11
a
Kwale 39 51 10 Nakuru 17 55 28
Kilifi 36 52 13 Baringo 36 48 16
T.Taveta 18 60 21 U.Gishu 17 54 29
Kitui 25 62 14 Nandi 19 63 19
Makueni 17 62 21 E.Marak 20 62 18
wet
Kajiado 31 42 28 T. Nzoia 20 59 21
Machako 15 58 27 Kakameg 21 61 19
s a
Nairobi 11 39 51 Vihiga 18 63 20
Kiambu 12 48 40 Bungoma 18 61 21
Muranga 14 62 25 Busia 23 62 16
Nyandar 16 62 22 Kericho 16 62 22
ua
Nyeri 12 54 34 Kisumu 18 57 25
Laikipia 24 53 23 Siaya 16 64 20
Bomet 17 64 19 West 55 38 06
Pokot
Turkana 82 15 03
Source: KNBS & SID Report, 2013

Figure 6.5 Education Levels in Kenya, 1970-2050

Source: World Bank, 2010

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-10
Box 6.8 Opportunities - High Education Levels

 High education levels will provide a steady workforce for the

NEC Development Strategy Projects
 High education levels will also result in workers with higher
incomes that ultimately contribute more through taxes over the
course of their lifetimes.

Box 6.9 Constraints - High Education Levels

 High education levels without relevant and sufficient skills for

agricultural, industrial mining and oil development and
transport infrastructure projects would result in structural and
frictional unemployment and a waste of manpower.
 Lack of relevant and sufficient skilled manpower locally would
mean the County would have to depend on foreign manpower
to develop the agriculture, industrial, mining and oil and
transport infrastructure projects proposed in the NEC Master
Plan. As foreign manpower would be paid in foreign currencies,
this would result into loss of scarce foreign exchange for the
country

6.5 HEALTH PROFILE

According to the Ministry of Health (2013), Kenya currently has a total

of 9,694 health facilities that are government, private, NGO and
religious owned. The majority of Kenya’s population within the NEC
receives healthcare services from the public sector. The range of services
includes:

 preventive services, which includes routine childhood

immunizations and environmental activities to control mosquito
breeding,
 promotive services that are mostly educational services
provided to the general population on healthy lifestyles and
available interventions, and
 curative and rehabilitative services, which include all treatment
activities available at hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

Under the devolved government system, healthcare facilities are

organised into 6 levels as follows:

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-11
  Level 1: Community Health Services, which are community-
based demand services,
 Level 2: Dispensaries for both public and private health services
providers,
 Level 3: Health Centres, provided by county governments
 Level 4: Sub County Referral Hospitals, which are managed by
the respective County Governments,
 Level 5: County Referral Hospital, which are managed by the
National Government, and
 Level 6: National Referral Hospitals, which comprise of
facilities that provide highly specialized services and include all
tertiary referral facilities.

In the NEC, all 29 counties have Level 1-4 healthcare facilities. Only 6
Counties have Level 5 health care facilities, namely:
 Nairobi County (Kenyatta National Hospital),
 Mombasa County (Coast General Hospital),
 Nakuru County (Nakuru Hospital),
 Kisumu County (Kisumu Hospital), and
 Kakamega County (Kakamega Hospital).

Within the NEC, there are a total of 4 Level 6 healthcare facilities as

follows:
 Kenyatta National Hospital, Spinal Injury Hospital and Mathere
Mental Hospital in Nairobi County, and
 Moi National and Teaching Hospital in Uasin Gishu County.

In 2012, the Country had an average of 19 doctors and 173 nurses per
100,000 population, compared to WHO recommended minimum
staffing levels of 36 and 356 doctors and nurses per 100,000 people (1) .

About 52% of Kenya’s population have access to basic health services

within 5 km. Access to basic primary health care and referral services,
however, still remains a significant challenge. Significant disparities in
service availability exist between rural and urban areas and in hard to
reach areas. Mortality rates remain high and the causes of death in both
the Country and NEC Counties include:
 HIV/AIDS (29.3%),
 perinatal conditions (9.0%),
 lower respiratory infections (8.1%),
 tuberculosis (6.3%),
 diarrhoea (6.0%), and

(1) Health Sector Working Group Report, 2012

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-12
  malaria (5.8%).

Other causes of death include cerebrovascular diseases, ischaemic heart

disease, road traffic accidents and violence.

Box 6.10 Opportunities - Health

 Availability of adequate health facilities and health workers in

the NEC will control common diseases such as Malaria and
HIV/AIDS. This will increase the quality of labour force in the
NEC and consequently increase overall productivity in
agricultural, industrial and transport sectors.
 The strategy to move cargo from the trucks to the railway and
pipeline will decrease the spread of HIV/Aids along the major
trucking routes.

Box 6.11 Constraints - Health

 Poor access to basic primary health care

 High mortality rates
 Low staffing levels of doctors and nurses
 Prevalence of communicable disease in the country
 Poor health affects the quality of labour

6.6 SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

6.6.1 Water and Sanitation

Most of the residents in the NEC use improved sources of water. An

improved drinking-water source is defined as one that, by nature of its
construction or through active intervention, is protected from outside
contamination, in particular from contamination with faecal matter (1).
However, less than half of the residents in Kwale, Makueni, Kitui,
Machakos, Muranga, Baringo, Nandi, Bomet and Siaya Counties use
unimproved sources of water, as presented in Table 6.3 below.

(1) http://www.wssinfo.org/definitions-methods/watsan-categories/

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-13
Table 6.4 Percentage of Residents Using Improved and Unimproved Water
Sources by NEC County

County Improved Unimproved County Improved Unimproved

water source water sources water source water sources
(percentage) (percentage) (percentage) (percentage)
Mombasa 76 24 Nakuru 60 40
Kwale 47 53 Baringo 24 76
Kilifi 64 36 U.Gishu 74 26
Taita Taveta 68 32 Nandi 37 63
Kitui 26 74 E.Marawet 51 49
Makueni 36 64 Trans Nzoia 65 35
Kajiado 66 34 Kakamega 61 39
Machakos 37 63 Vihiga 63 37
Nairobi 84 16 Bungoma 73 27
Kiambu 75 25 Busia 61 29
Muranga 41 59 Kericho 40 60
Nyandarua 59 41 Bomet 24 76
Nyeri 64 36 Kisumu 54 56
Laikipia 50 50 Siaya 36 64
Narok 21 79 West Pokot 25 75
Turkana 39 61 - - -
Source: Compiled from KNBS & SID Reports, 2013

Box 6.12 Opportunities - Water

 Inadequate water supplies in the NEC will make it possible for

relevant authorities to plan for better water use, conservation
and management of water resources.
 It is essential to ensure that the NEC is planned to protect water
resources and water harvesting areas to protect water quality

Box 6.13 Constraint – Water

 Lack of access to improved water services is a cause of water

borne diseases
 Women and children labour is spent more on looking for water
rather than for productive purposes
 Lack of water frustrates the demand of the commodity for
domestic use, food production and industrial development
 Water shortages due to drought limit the amount of hydro-
electric power produced in the country. This adversely affects
industries and businesses

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-14
 6.6.2 Energy

Majority of the residents in the NEC use firewood for cooking followed
by charcoal (see Table 6.5). LPG is the least used energy source for
cooking. Paraffin is mostly used in Mombasa, Nairobi and Kiambu
Counties. This means that if the present rate of using firewood and
charcoal is not well managed, more trees in the NEC will be harvested
in future. Loss of trees would result in deforestation, especially if the
rate of tree planting is less than the rate at which trees are harvested (as
is the case presently).

Table 6.5 Percentage Energy Use for Cooking by NEC County

County LP Paraffi Firewoo Charcoa County LP Paraffi Firewoo Charcoa

G n d l G n d l
Mombasa 9 39 6 41 Nakuru 5 8 46 40
Kwale 1 6 80 11 Baringo 1 1 87 11
Kilifi 2 8 67 21 U.Gishu 5 7 55 32
Taita 2 5 69 24 Nandi 1 1 89 8
Taveta
Kitui 1 2 89 8 E.Marakwe 1 1 90 8
t
Makueni 1 3 85 11 T.Nzoia 1 3 77 18
Kajiado 13 19 41 25 Kakamega 1 2 87 9
Machakos 3 11 69 16 Vihiga 1 2 91 6
Nairobi 23 54 1 17 Bungoma 1 2 85 11
Kiambu 13 23 35 26 Busia 1 2 84 13
Muranga 2 6 85 7 Kericho 1 2 84 12
Nyandaru 1 1 78 19 Bomet 1 2 92 5
a
Nyeri 5 5 73 16 Kisumu 3 7 58 29
Laikipia 3 3 65 29 Siaya 1 2 82 15
Narok 1 2 80 17 West Pokot 1 1 91 7
Turkana 1 1 87 11 - - - - -
Source: Compiled from KNBS & SID Reports, 2013

6.6.3 Housing

Majority of residents in the 29 Counties of the NEC have houses with

corrugated iron sheet roofs (see Table 6.6). Muranga and Nairobi
Counties have substantial percentages of residents that have houses
with concrete roofs.

In the event that residents along the Corridor are required to give-way
to development of some of the proposed NEC projects, they would
have to be relocated and resettled elsewhere. Compensation for loss of
housing would take into account the costs of materials used to build the
houses.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-15
Table 6.6 Percentage of Residents in the NEC Counties by Roofing Materials

County Concrete roof Corrugated Grass and Mud/dug Others

iron sheet makuti roof roofs
Mombasa 9 75 4 1 11
Kwale 1 37 60 None 2
Kilifi 2 42 52 None 4
Taita Taveta 1 85 8 1 0
Kitui 1 76 21 1 0
Makueni 1 87 11 None 1
Kajiado 3 67 11 10 8
Machakos 3 89 5 None 3
Nairobi 21 65 1 None 13
Kiambu 7 88 3 1 1
Muranga 2 94 1 1 2
Nyandarua 1 95 1 None 3
Nyeri 2 94 None None 4
Laikipia 2 80 10 3 5
Narok 1 49 35 11 4
Nakuru 1 87 6 1 5
Baringo 1 58 39 1 1
U.Gishu 1 84 8 1 0
Nandi 1 82 15 None 2
E. Marakwet 1 58 39 1 2
T. Nzoia 1 83 14 None 2
Kakamega 1 77 20 None 2
Vihiga 1 92 4 None 3
Bungoma 1 78 19 None 2
Busia 1 50 49 None 1
Kericho 1 83 14 1 1
Bomet 1 68 27 1 3
Kisumu 1 85 9 None 5
Siaya 1 66 32 None 1
West Pokot None 27 68 4 0
Turkana None 12 72 1 0
Source: Compiled from KNBS & SID Reports, 2013

6.7 TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE

6.7.1 Roads

As discussed in Chapter 5, the primary infrastructure component of the

NEC is the Main Arterial Road (MR) (A109 and A104 highway) which
links Mombasa and Malaba.

Roads are the most fundamental infrastructure for logistics in Kenya. In

fact, cargo from Mombasa Port to seven countries namely Kenya,
Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, D.R.Congo, South Sudan and Tanzania,
relies significantly on road transport by heavy trucks and trailers. The
dominant share of road transport is said to be more than 95%.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-16
 Along the NEC, there are increasing traffic demands and bottlenecks of
road traffic in the urban areas of Mombasa, Nairobi, Nakuru, Eldoret,
Kisumu and their surrounding areas, as well as around the borders,
Mombasa Port and railway stations. Road sections with four lanes are
limited to Mombasa, Nairobi and Nakuru and trunk roads with high
capacity are limited. The road’s surface on the main route is generally
good although there are many potholes in Mombasa County. The
section between Nairobi and Eldoret has good surface and well
balanced capacity.

Box 6.14 Constraints - Current State of the Roads along the NEC

 Congestion in city centres of Mombasa, Nairobi, Nakuru,

Eldoret, Kisumu, as well as around the borders of Malaba and
Busia, and Mombasa Port
 Long queues on Mombasa weigh bridge.
 Quick deterioration of road surfaces due to overloading by
trucks
 Accident black spots along Nairobi – Mombasa road
 Lack of exclusive lanes for trucks along Nairobi – Mombasa road
causing traffic jams
 Lack of alternative exit roads from Mombasa Island
 Lack of timely road repair on degraded sections

6.7.2 Railway

The Kenyan Meter Gauge Railway (MGR) system operated by Rift

Valley Railways (RVR) comprises approximately 1,320 km of track. This
includes the mainline of about 1,185 km from Mombasa to Malaba
passing through Nairobi. Branch lines to Thika and Nanyuki complete
the system. Figure 6.6 below shows the proposed Standard Gauge
Railway (SGR) Line and existing MGR Line, while Figure 6.7 shows an
inventory of current railway line operating facilities.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-17
Figure 6.6 The SGR and MGR Lines

Source: Kenya Railways Corporation, 2016

Nairobi County has experienced serious traffic congestion that has

necessitated the opening of the following three railway stations that
commute to the Nairobi Railway Station:
 Syokimau railway station,
 Makadara railway station ,and
 Imara Daima railway station.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-18
Figure 6.7 Inventory of Railway Line Operating Facilities

Source: JST, 2016

Box 6.15 Opportunity - the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR)

 The completion of the SGR will be in line with the NEC Master
Plan and its development objectives

Box 6.16 Constraints on the Railway Line along the NEC

 Financial capability of the railway operating agency – RVR.

Though RVR increased volume (net tonne kilometres) and
revenue in 2014 it recorded an operating loss and negative cash
flow (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization).
 Poor wagon and locomotive conditions and shortages. Prior to
RVR taking over the operation of the railway in 2006 and under
RVR’s operation through 2009, the railway suffered from lack of
investment in infrastructure, rolling stock and equipment. This
led to a decline in service levels and over time to a drop in
volume. At the same time Kenya’s economy has been growing
significantly and cargo throughput at Mombasa Port has grown
significantly.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-19
 6.7.3 Pipeline

Figure 6.8 and

Table 6.7 both show the existing pipeline network in Kenya.

Figure 6.8 Pipeline Network

Source: http://www.kpc.co.ke/operations/pipeline-network

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-20
Table 6.7 Summary of Existing Pipeline Infrastructure

Line Section Length (KM) Diameter Installed Flow Number of

(inches) Rate (Litres/Hr) Pumping
Stations with
Dual mainline
Pumps
Mombasa – 450 14” 830,000 8
Nairobi (Line I)
Spur line from 2.8 12” 450,000 1
KOSF to SOT
Changamwe – 3.8 6” 120,000 1
Moi International
Airport
Nairobi – Nakuru 325 8”/6” 220,000 4
– Eldoret (Line II)
Nairobi – Eldoret 325 14” 378,000 2
(Line IV)
Sinendet – 121 6” 100,000 -
Kisumu (line III)
Source: JST, 2016

Box 6.17 Opportunity on the Pipeline along the NEC

 In line with the NEC strategy, the pipeline will allow for bulk
transport and trucks off the roads/highways

Box 6.18 Constraints on the Pipeline along the NEC

 Risk of spillage due to broken pipelines causing losses. Large

amounts of oil are lost through spillage, such as the one
experienced at Kibwezi in May 2015
 Danger of fires due to illegal settlement along the pipeline. On
September 12th 2011, an oil spillage in Lunga Lunga at the
Industrial area of Nairobi caused a fire that caused death of
around 100 people at an illegal settlement

6.7.4 Airports

The Kenyan International Airports on the NEC are:

 Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JIKA) in Nairobi,
 Moi International Airport in Mombasa,

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-21
  Eldoret International Airport, and
 Kisumu Internitonal Airport.

The Kenyan Domestic Airports on the NEC are:

 Wilson Airport
 Malindi Airport

JKIA is expected to be the hub of Africa for both passengers and cargo
and it handled the largest cargo volume of 279 thousand tons per year
in the East African Community (EAC) in 2012 (JST, 2015),

There are seven major airports around the NEC as shown in Figure 6.9

Figure 6.9 Location of Major Airports

Source: JST, 2015

Figure 6.10 Constraints - Airports

 Lack of efficient last mile transport from the airport to the

consumer.
 Insufficient warehouses for goods at the port.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-22
6.7.5 Port Facilities

The maritime transport system in Kenya consists of one major seaport

in Mombasa and several smaller ones at the Coast. The Ports are
managed by Kenya Ports Authority (KPA). The other port along the
NEC is the port of Kisumu.

Figure 6.11 (see below) shows the existing and proposed facilities in
Mombasa Port as follows:
1. Mombasa Port Development Project/ JICA, project schedule:
November 2007 - November 2015
a. Construction of the Second Container Terminal(depth:
15m and 11m; berth ×2)
b. Procurement of cargo handling equipment (SSG cranes
and RTG cranes)
c. Construction of an access road (approx. 1.6km)
d. Dredging works (dredging volume: approx. 3 million
cubic meters)
e. Consulting services (detailed design, bidding assistance,
construction supervision and assistance for selection of
terminal operators, etc.)
f. Master Plan on Logistics in Northern Economic Corridor
2. Project on Master Plan for Development of Dongo Kundu,
Mombasa Special Economic Zone/ JICA, project schedule:
January 2014-March 2015
3. The Project for Technical Assistance to Kenya Ports Authority on
Dongo Kundu Port, Mombasa Master Plan/ JICA, project
schedule: August 2014 - October 2015
4. Study on the Project for Construction of Mombasa Gate Bridge/
JICA
5. Construction of a new SGR linking Mombasa with Nairobi,
Kampala and other hinterland destinations, which began in 2013
6. Construction of a Southern By-Pass for Mombasa linking the
South to North Coast (began in 2014).

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-23
Figure 6.11 Proposed and Existing Facilities at the Port of Mombasa

Source: JST, 2016

Box 6.19 Constraints - Ports

 Congestion of urban roads within Mombasa town.

 Long cargo clearance time.
 Lack of sufficient funding to develop infrastructure.
 Multi – agency clearance at the port contributing to the high cost
of doing business.
 Lack of synergy among the key stakeholders involved in clearing
cargo.
 Lack of strict regulations to distribute cargo fairly among the
different modes of transport from the port leading to over
dependence on trucks.

6.7.6 Inland Waterways

There are six ports around Lake Victoria, namely:

 Kisumu in Kenya,
 Jinja and Port Bell in Uganda,
 Mwanza, Musoma and Kemondo Bay in Tanzania.

Along the NEC, Kisumu, Jinja and Port Bell have been used for railway
cargo transit in the past. Currently, Port Bell is operation with cargo
coming in once a week or several times a month.

In the recent years, cargo transport has shifted from lake transport to
road transport with the decline of railway logistics. It is possible to

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-24
 revive the Lake Transport after the SGR project is completed and
railway is operating and covering the region.

Box 6.20 Opportunities - Inland Waterways

 Increased linkages among the ports on Lake Victoria. Kisumu

and Port Bell will be well linked with Mwanza port through the
improvement of infrastructure of wagon/car ferry port and
provision of new vessels including car ferry and passenger
vessels.

6.8 URBANISATION

Urbanization refers to a process in which increasing proportion of an

entire population lives in cities and the suburbs of cities. As stated in
Section 6.3.3 over the years, urban centres in the NEC have been
experiencing population increase due to rural-urban migration. The
urban population is growing very fast, while the economic growth and
development transformations necessary to support it and enhance
quality of life are not occurring at the same rate.

The populations of major urban centres by 2012 are as indicated in Table

6.8 below, while Figure 6.12 shows the Cities, Municipalities and Towns
within the NEC. Figure 6.13 shows urban growth trends in Kenya from
1948-2009.

Table 6.8 Population within Urban Centres in the NEC

Urban Centre Population Urban Centre Population Urban Centre Population

Mombasa 1.2 million Matuu 53,144 Nairobi 3.5 million
Mariakani 89,321 Kangundo- 218,557 Ongota 40,178
Tala Rongai
Mtwapa 48,625 Machakos 150,041 Ruiru 238,858
Ukunda 62,529 Athi River 139,380 Kikuyu 233,231
Voi 45,483 Ngong 107,188 Kiambu 88,869
Wundanyi 62,404 Kitengela 58,167 Juja 40,446
Naivasha 181,966 Gilgil 35,293 Maragua 32,315
Thika 139,853 Karuri 129,934 Makuyu 71,913
Molo 107,806 Limuru 104,282 Ol Kalou 66,015
Rumuruti 66,015 Nyahururu 51,434 Nandi Hills 73,626
Eldoret 289,380 Burnt Forest 32,993 Malava 60,831
Luanda 49,346 Malakisi 41,784 Vihiga 118,696
Mumias 116,358 Webuye 65,280 Kimilili 94,927
Kapsabet 91,030 Kakamega 91,768 Nambale 34,735
Busia 61,715 Malaba 63,324 Kisumu 409,928
Londiani 44,953 Kipkeleon 49,939 Kericho 104,282
Ukwala 57,081 Awasi 93,369 Ahero 76,828
Siaya 45,353 Muhoroni 34,457 Ugunja 33,878

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-25
 Urban Centre Population Urban Centre Population Urban Centre Population
Yala 33,646 Kapengria 71,477 Kakuma 65,814
Lodwar 58,218 - - - -
Source: Compiled from KNBS & SID Reports, 2013

Figure 6.12 Cities, Municipalities and Towns found along the NEC Main Route

Figure 6.13 Trends of urban growth in Kenya (1948-2009)

Source: Ministry of Planning and National Development and Vision

2030

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-26
Box 6.21 Opportunity - Urbanisation

 Urbanization will result in social, economic, environmental and

spatial development challenges that will be addressed by the
Master Plan. Implementation of regional, industrial and
transport strategies of the Master Plan are meant bring about that
desired development,

Box 6.22 Constraints - Urbanisation

 Urbanization will encourage rapid inflows of rural populations

to urban areas that give rise to housing problems and the
development of slums
 An increase in urban areas will pressurise water and sanitation
facilities and potentially result in environmental pollution, as
well as increased unemployment in urban areas

6.9 LAND ISSUES

6.9.1 Land Use

Land use types along the NEC vary significantly as it traverses

northwards through the landscape. Factors such as land value, zoning
rules that control development, technology, climate and proximity to
network infrastructure (e.g. availability of water, electricity and
telecommunication) influence the land use along the Corridor.

Residential, commercial, educational, public purpose, public utilities,

transportation and industrialization are the land uses found along the
NEC. Changes in land use are very popular along the NEC as land that
was previously meant for agricultural purposes is being changed to
residential, commercial and industrial land uses. Figure 6.14 shows the
land use classification according to the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) (1) .

(1) Data for the sub-route was not available

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-27
Figure 6.14 Land Use along the NEC Main Route

Source: Kenya Wildlife Services, 2015

Box 6.23 Constraint - Land Use Conflicts and Conversions

Implementing the Master Plan Development Strategies could result in

land use conflicts. Use of certain areas/parcels of land to implement
the Development Strategies will need trade-off with other existing and
potential uses e.g. developing transport infrastructure in certain
sections of the NEC would require converting agricultural and
conservation land for such a purpose. In sections where conversions are
resisted, land use conflicts and litigations may occur which can delay
and increase the cost of the project.

6.9.2 Land Tenure

Land tenure is the relationship, whether legally or customarily defined,

among people, as individuals or groups, with respect to land. In this
case “land” is used to include other natural resources such as water and
trees.

Rules of tenure define how property rights to land are to be allocated

within societies. They define how access is granted to rights to use,
control, and transfer land, as well as associated responsibilities and
restraints. In simple terms, land tenure systems determine who can use
what resources for how long, and under what conditions, it is an
important part of social, political and economic structures and it is
therefore very important to put it into consideration (FAO, 2009).

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-28
 The land tenure system along the NEC falls into the following broad
categories:

 Private/ individual, where land rights are assigned to a private

party who may be an individual, a married couple, a group of
people, or a corporate body such as a commercial entity or non-
profit organization,
 Community/ Customary, where land rights exist within a
community and each member has a right to independently use
the holdings of the community. For example, members of a
community may have the right to cultivate on a common piece of
land, and
 Public/ State, where property rights are assigned to some
authority in the public sector. For example, open spaces fall
under the mandate of the state and all members of the state can
use them freely.

Along the NEC land is either owned on lease or freehold. In many rural
areas land is owned on freehold, this gives the holder absolute
ownership of the land for life. This means that descendants can remain
as the owner for as long as the family lineage exists. A freehold title
deed has no restrictions as to the use or occupation.

In urban areas land is mostly owned on leasehold where the interest in

land is for a specific period, subject to payment of a fee or rent to the
grantor. Payment of rates is made to the respective local authority for
services rendered. Leases are granted by:
 Government for public land,
 local authority for trust land, and
 individuals with freeholds.

The maximum term of government leases is 999 years for agricultural

land and 99 years for urban plots. It is also common to find 33 year
leases in respect to urban trust land.

6.9.3 Land Values along the NEC

Land value in Kenya is determined by the economic principle of highest

and best use of land which produces the highest net return in any term,
over a period of time. As mentioned previously, the NEC traverses 29
Counties and the land values for the various counties are different as
they are influenced by:
 physical attributes,
 accessibility to economic activities,

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-29
  present and future land use,
 location and transport linkages, and
 demand and supply for the land.

Figure 6.15 shows the land values in the counties along the NEC

Box 6.24 Opportunity – Understanding Land Values

 Factors affecting land value are of importance in calculating or

estimating land prices, understanding of these factors will
provide more accurate and realistic price of land when it comes
to land acquisition and negotiation of wayleave during
implementation of the Master Plan

Box 6.25 Constraint - High Land Values

 Resettlement and compensation will be highest in Nairobi and

Mombasa Counties
 Land speculation may drive the land prices even higher
 Land sub-division is one of the factors that leads to high land
values

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-30
Figure 6.15 Land Values along the NEC

100
KES (Millions)/Acre

28
20 20 18
15 15
10 10 8
5 3 3 2 2 2 2 1.6 1.5 1.4 1.3 1.2 1.2 1 0.8 0.7
0.25

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-31
 6.9.4 Settlement Patterns along the NEC

Human settlements are defined as communities or groups of people

living together in a particular place to realize certain objectives. Human
settlements therefore have 3 major roles:
 Residential functions, particularly for those people who derive
their livelihood from non-farming activities. It is usually
assumed that those in agricultural areas have their own
accommodation,
 Service functions, the settlements have to offer some facilities
such as educational, health, administrative, social-cultural etc.
 Economic functions usually offered by the settlements including
markets, goods and services, employment and income
generating opportunities and also enable people to access
manufactured goods.

As settlements grow, they form identifiable patterns depending on the

various factors which limit their growth in different areas. There is
therefore a range of settlement patterns exhibited along the NEC, as
discussed in the Sections below:

6.9.4.1 Linear Pattern

This type of settlement pattern develops when structures are built along
linear features such as roads, rail, a coastline and rivers. Many Kenyan
urban centres attribute their growth and development as a result of
infrastructure development, for example, Nairobi City grew due to the
construction of the Kenya-Uganda railway, being strategically placed
between Mombasa and Kampala. The ease of movement when located
along a transport network greatly contributes to increased settlement
growth along a corridor.

Table 6.9 Advantages and Disadvantages of Linear Settlement Patterns along

the NEC

Advantages Disadvantages
Easy access to the NEC No open spaces, which may limit
development
- This type of settlement can lead to
traffic congestion in many areas along
the NEC
- Prone to accident

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-32
Figure 6.16 Linear settlement along the corridor in Nakuru

Source: Google Earth Pro, 2016

6.9.4.2 Clustered Pattern

Clustered settlement is observed in urban areas such as Mombasa,

Nairobi, and Kisumu. Nairobi City is an ideal example of a cluster of
human settlements within the Central Business District (CBD).

Table 6.10 Advantages and Disadvantages of Clustered Settlement Patters along

the NEC

Advantages Disadvantages
Good transport network High population density, which can
lead to diseases spreading quickly
It is easy to provide services to this Urban areas with this type of
type of settlement settlement pattern suffer from
shortage of housing, transport, health
and civic amenities.
There in convenience , in that access to This settlement pattern attracts
facilities and services is easy inadequate social infrastructure and
basic facilities due to over-population
and lack of financial resources in the
cities.

6.9.4.3 Dispersed Pattern

Dispersed settlement is evident along the NEC, especially in rural areas,

whereby homesteads or development are separated and scattered
throughout the landscape. This usually occurs in the low population

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-33
 density areas and this is as a result of limiting factors such as
unfavourable climatic and geographic conditions.

Table 6.11 Advantages and Disadvantages of Dispersed Settlement Patterns along

the NEC

Advantages Disadvantages
Clustered settlement pattern provides It is expensive to provide services to
open spaces which provides this type of settlement
community members with larger
recreation areas and create a sense of
openness that people along the
corridor desire
Open spaces also benefit the Methods to protect and maintain the
environment by providing habitat for open space must be carefully
wildlife, naturally filtering storm developed, implemented and
water, reducing storm water runoff monitored
from impervious surfaces, and
protecting the natural features of an
area
Linking the open space of several Although not necessarily a restricting
conservation design subdivisions will disadvantage, the management of
help to develop larger and more waste water must be carefully
effective “environmental corridor” designed for smaller lots. While these
within and between communities disadvantages should be
acknowledged and addressed, none
should preclude the use of cluster
development
Clustered settlement pattern will -
benefit the implementers of the NEC
corridor because in areas where there
is this kind of settlement the costs of
development is reduced
Clustered settlement pattern helps to -
reinforce the policy of maintaining the
local rural character which is included
in many comprehensive land use
plans

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-34
Figure 6.17 Dispersed settlements in Makueni County

Source: Google Earth Pro, 2016

6.9.4.4 Summary

The most visible settlement forms within the NEC are clustered and
linear patterns whereby people and activities are located in large
groups and along linear features, in this case being the road and
railway (see Figure 6.2).

6.10 ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

6.10.1 Agriculture

The main crops are grown in the NEC shown in Table 6.12

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-35
Table 6.12 Crops Grown in the NEC Counties

County Crops Grown

All Counties within Maize, beans
the main route
Kiambu Coffee, Tea, Irish potatoes, bananas, commercial
horticulture
Muranga Coffee, Irish potatoes, bananas, commercial
horticulture
Nyeri Coffee, tea
Bungoma Coffee, bananas
Kericho Tea
Bomet Tea
Nandi Tea
Vihiga Tea
Nakuru Wheat, Irish potatoes, cut flowers, commercial
horticulture
Busia Tobacco
Kilifi Coconuts, mangoes
Mombasa Coconuts
Kwale Coconuts, mangoes
Siaya Cotton, rice
Kisumu Rice
Nyandarua Irish potatoes, commercial horticulture
Makueni Pigeon peas, sorghum, mangoes,
Machakos Pigeon peas, mangoes
West Pokot Maize, potatoes, beans, onions and millet
Turkana Maize, sorghum, millet and cow peas
Source: various CIDP

Box 6.26 Opportunities - Falling Prices of Exports

Falling exports prices will present opportunities for market forces to

reallocate resources to production of goods and services with high
demand and high prices. The invisible hand of free market forces will
determine the type of exportable goods and quantities that will be
produced in the NEC

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-36
Box 6.27 Constraint - Falling Prices of Exports

Kenya’s export prices for agricultural products like tea and coffee are
volatile because the demand for them is elastic. The prices have been
rising and falling in the international market for quite some time.
Moreover, the more export prices fall, the less the country earns foreign
exchange. As a result, farmers cut down on production of exportable
crops, or resort to using the land for other enterprises. This adversely
affects the volume of export cargo to be handled by the transport
infrastructure.

6.10.2 Livestock Production

The main livestock produced in the NEC is shown in Table 6.13.

Table 6.13 Livestock Production within the NEC

Livestock NEC Counties

Production
Subsistence Pastoral counties of Kajiado, Narok, Baringo, Laikipia and
cattle, goats Elgeyo Marakwet Counties. The rest of the counties also keep
and sheep these animals though on a smaller scale.
Dairy cattle Uasin Gishu, Kiambu, Nandi, Nyandarua, Nakuru and
Muranga Counties
Commercial Nakuru and Laikipia Counties. Large scale dairy farming is
beef cattle practiced on livestock ranches found between Naivasha and
Nakuru ie, Soysambu, Marura Ranches, Major Boinet,
Kedong, Sanctuary Farm, Morendat, Marula, Malewa Bay
Loldia, Olsuswa, Korongo, Wileli (Kipkulei), Lapieve Ltd
(Kongoni), Soyisambu, Mboi-Kamiti, Malewa & Munyaka
Farm. Small scale dairy farming is practiced widely within
the sector. Pastoralism is practiced on the western side of
Narok County
Subsistence All Counties
poultry
Commercial Kiambu, Nakuru and Nairobi Counties
poultry
Piggery Kiambu, Muranga and Nyeri Counties

6.10.3 Mining and Quarrying

As illustrated in Table 6.14 mining and quarrying activities take place in

various parts of the NEC. The presence of minerals resources will
enable the regional strategy of the NEC Master Plan to be realised.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-37
 Mineral resource productive areas will be linked to the NEC and the
LAPSSET Corridor.

Table 6.14 Mining and Quarrying Activities in the NEC

Mineral/Quarrying Activity Area

Limestone Athi River, Bamburi and Waa
Artisanal mining of Tsavorite, red Kasigau, Kuranze. Taita Hills and
garnets, green garnets, yellow garnets, Mwatate areas
ruby, green tourmalines, yellow
tourmalines, change colour, blue
sapphire, pink sapphire, amethyst,
peridot, iolite, spinel, rhodolites and
kyanites
Coal Mui Basin (Kutui County) and West
Pokot
Sand, limestone and granite Machakos
Quarrying activities are centered in 15 Nairobi County
quarries located mainly in Njiru and
Embakasi areas that produce natural
building stones, ballast, etc
Sand harvesting, limestone, granite, Makueni
gypsum, and quartz
Quarrying for construction stones, Isinya and Kitengela
ballast and hardcore
Fluorspar Kerio Valley
Diatomite Kariandusi
Geothermal power generation Olkaria , Menengai and Ol Doinyo
Emburu
Sand harvesting Along river banks such as Nyano and
Awach, Lake Victoria beaches and
River Nzoia in Siaya County.
Gold Bondo, Siaya, Rarieda, Ugunja, Gem
(Siaya County) and West Pokot
Mining potentials for limestone Sigor (Bomet), Koru (Kisumu) and
West Pokot
Oil Nyando and Nyakach Sub-counties,
Elgeyo Marakwet and Turkana
Granite and black sand Yala Valley and Kogello, West Pokot
and Taita Taveta
Source: various CIDP

6.10.4 Fishing

Most fishing activities take place along the Indian Ocean and along
Lakes Naivasha and Victoria. The marine capture fishery is composed
of coastal and near shore artisanal, semi industrial and offshore

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-38
industrial fisheries. Artisanal and semi-industrial fisheries are exploited
by the coastal local communities while the industrial fisheries are
exploited by foreign fishing companies. There are 51 fish landing sites
in Mombasa County alone and several sites in Kilifi and Kwale counties
that are within the NEC. The main types of fish caught are Rabbit Fish,
scavengers, Jack Fish and King Fish.

The main fish landing beaches on Lake Naivasha are Karagita, Kamere,
Kihoto, Tarembete,and central. The main fish caught include common
carp, minor carp, tilapia, black bass and catfish.

On Lake Victoria, there are several landing beaches. They include

Kaloka, Ndere Island, Kisumu Port, Dunga Beach, Sango Beach and
Kusa Beach in Kisumu County; Luanda Kotieno, Wichlum Uhanya,
Usenge, Nango Kamariga, Mahanga Mageta, Sirongo, Ndeda Island,
Misori B, Luando Kotieno, and Kopiata in Siaya District; and Osindo in
Siaya County; and Rudacho, Marenga, Nalera Beach, Bukoma,
Namabusi, Rukala, and Wayasi Island in Busia County. Additional
fishing activities take place on Lake Kanyaboli in Siaya County and, in
dams and ponds that are widespread in the four counties ie Kericho,
Bomet, Kisumu and Siaya, though on small scale. The fish caught
include; Rastrineobola argentea (Omena), Tilapia, Nile perch, among
others.

Minor fisheries exist in a variety of other inland waters, as follows: a) L.

Victoria Basin: rivers Nzoia, Sondu, and Yala; b) Rift Valley Basin:
rivers Suam-Turkwel Kerio, Lessos and Turkwell Gorge reservoirs; c)
Athi River Basin: rivers Athi-Galana-Sabaki, and Voi, lakes Chala and
Jipe; d) Tana River Basin: upper Tana River and impoundments
including Masinga, Kamburu, Gitaru, and Kindaruma reservoirs.

Fishing also takes place on both private and community owned dams.
In addition, fish farming is being encouraged by the government and a
number of fish ponds are producing fish especially in Kiambu,
Nyahururu and Muranga counties. The main fish farmed are Tilapia
and catfish. Although fish farming is being encouraged by the
government, it has not picked up in most parts of the NEC due to
shortage of water.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-39
Box 6.28 Opportunities - Fish and Farming

Declining fish stocks and fishing may result in a call for more prudent
management of fresh water fisheries resources in the country, including
supporting marine fishermen with better fishing gear and encouraging
people in the NEC to start fish farming.

Box 6.29 Constraints - Fish and Farming

Declining fish stocks and fishing activities in lakes means that there will
not be enough fish to be transported from these water bodies to the
markets. It also means that the fishermen may lose their livelihoods.

6.10.5 Industries/Manufacturing

Most of the manufacturing enterprises are found in the urban centres as

shown below in Table 6.15.

Table 6.15 Industries and Manufacturing Enterprises in Urban Centres in the NEC

Urban Centre Manufacturing Enterprises

Mombasa Export processing zone
Nairobi 80% of the total industries in the County. There are 2,061
industries and out of this number 422 of them are in
manufacturing. Most of these industries are located in
industrial area, Kariobangi and Baba Ndogo.
Athi River 114 manufacturing enterprises including Mabati Rolling
Mills, Kenya Meat Commission, Agrichem & Tools Ltd,
Athi River Steel plant, EAPCC, Bamburi Cement,
Mombasa Cement, Savannah Cement, Simba Cement,
Primarosa , Kenya Meat Commission (K.M.C), etc
Nakuru Textile industries, animal feeds, agricultural implements,
printing, dairy products, engineering works and body
builders, saw mills, contractors, bitumen products and
quarrying, posho mills, canners, edible oils and soap
manufacturers and pyrethrum processing plants.
Eldoret Wood processing, grain milling, milk processing and oil
storage
Limuru Bata Shoe Factory, Farmers´ Choice Ltd, Kenchic Co. Ltd,
Brookside Dairies, Githunguri Dairies, Ndumberi Dairies,
Limuru Milk and Palmside Dairies

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-40
 Urban Centre Manufacturing Enterprises
Thika Bidco Oil Industries, Thika Motor Vehicle dealers, Thika
Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Limited, Devki Steel Mills,
Broadway Bakeries, Kenblest Industry, Kel Chemicals,
Thika Rubber Industries Limited, Macadamia Nuts,
Campwell Industry and Kenya Tanning Extracts Limited.
Naivasha Breweries and milk processing
Ruiru Clay Works and Spinners and Spinners
Sotik Milk Processing
Kericho Nandi Hills, and Vihiga have tea processing factories
Nzoia, Mumias, Sugar refining factories
Chemill,
Muhoroni,
Nambale and
Kibos
Ahero Mattresses manufacturing and rice processing
Kisumu 27 manufacturing industries and 16 bakeries
Voi and Mtito Sisal fibre production
Andei
Makindu Bakery
Mariakani Iron sheet manufacturing
Malakisi Cotton ginning and tobacco curing
Kitale Flour milling
Kapenguria Flour milling
Kalakol Fish processing
Source: various VIDP

Box 6.30 Opportunities - Domestic Challenges in the Manufacturing Sector

 Domestic challenges in the manufacturing sector can present

opportunities for the industrial sector to plan and address them,
specifically through the improvement of the investment
environment, increasing the market size, increasing employment
and incomes and providing raw materials from the agricultural
and mineral and oil sectors.

Box 6.31 Constraint - Domestic Challenges in the Manufacturing Sector

 Domestic challenges in the manufacturing sector include

unconducive business environments especially: the high cost of
doing business; low domestic savings and investments; high cost
of finance; high cost and unavailable industrial land; limited
market access; as well as counterfeit dumping and substandard
goods.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-41
Box 6.32 Constraint – Limitation to Growth in the Manufacturing Sector

 Inability of small scale firms enjoying economies of scale

 Lack of comprehensive policy;
 Regulatory and incentive framework to attract investors
 Small talent pool
 Lack of marketing
 Rigid labour laws for export services;
 Lack of a formalized one stop shop to facilitate the ease of doing
business
 Competition from other countries offering competitive prices
due to their comparative advantage.

6.10.6 Tourism

Most of tourist attractions are found in and around Mombasa and

Nairobi Counties as well as within the protected areas discussed in
Chapter 5.

Mombasa has several tourist attractions including Fort Jesus Museum,

the gigantic elephant tusks mould, Likoni ferry, old town, the old port,
Mombasa Marine Park, Haller Park and Butterfly Pavilion. Mombases
has over 430 beach and tour operator firms that provide various tourist
related services. The county has 201 registered hotels and lodges with a
total bed capacity of 8,000 beds. Several tourist facilities and tour
operator firms also exist along the Kwale and Kilifi parts of the beach
front and along the Mombasa-Diani and Mombasa-Malindi highways.

Nairobi County is a major centre of tourism in the Country. Its

proximity to many tourist attractions both in Kenya and East Africa and
the good communication network makes it a focal point of great
importance to the tourism sector. As the capital city and commercial
centre, it attracts many businessmen and leisure tourists. Tourist
attractions include the Nairobi National Park, Nairobi National
Museum, Karen Blixen Museums and several historical sites and
monuments.

Other tourist attractions in the NEC include:

 Iveti hills scenery, Kyamwilu gravitational defying area and the
wood carving in Wamunyu (Machakos),

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-42
  Paradise Lost and Mugumo Gardens in Kiambaa (Kiambu),
 Mau Mau Caves (Nyeri),
 Gatamaiyu Fish Camp, historical sites in Gatundu and
Githunguri,
 Hell’s Gate, Mt Longonot and Lake Nakuru national parks,
 Kakamega National Forest Reserve and Park,
 Mt Elgon National Reserve,
 Kitale Museums (Trans Nzoia),
 National Museums in Kisumu and Ndere Island,
 Nasalot Game Reserve , Saiwa National Park , Turkwell Dam and the
Prison Meseum at Kapenguria in West Pokot
 Lake Turkana National Park, Eliye Springs and the Desert Meseum in
Turkana

Uasin Gishu is well known worldwide as the “city of champions”

because majority of international athletes come from the region. There
is however need to leverage on this for the purpose of tourism.

Potential tourist areas include:

 Chepkiit Water Falls on the Kipkaren River,
 Tindinyo falls along River Yala,
 the famous Koitalel Samoei Museum in Nandi Hills Town and
 the Keben caves in Mogobich, Lessos Division.

Historic sites such as Songhor Paleontological Site situated in

Muhoroni, the viewpoints in Nyabondo, the legendary Luanda Magere
site in Miwani, Kit Mikayi in Kisumu West, recreational sailing and
sport fishing on Lake Victoria can be developed to provide attractive
sites for tourists. A variety of tourist attractions including diversity of
landscapes, wildlife, culture and the many historical sites are available
in Kericho and Bomet counties.

Box 6.33 Opportunity - Tourism

 Infrastructure needs for the tourism industry range from

physical infrastructure such as ports of entry to modes of
transport to urban infrastructure such as access roads. The NEC
Master Plan Development Strategies include the improvement of
these infrastructures.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-43
Box 6.34 Constraints - Tourism

 Projects developed within the NEC need to avoid areas of high

tourism potential such as protected areas.

6.10.7 Employment

Counties with the lowest percentage of residents with no formal

education and are working for pay include Narok and Baringo and
Counties with the highest percentage of residents with no formal
education and are working for pay are Nairobi, Uasin Gishu and
Mombasa.

Counties with the lowest percentage of residents with primary level

education and are working for pay for pay are Narok, Busia and
Bungoma while the counties with highest percentage of residents with
primary level education and working for pay are Nairobi and
Mombasa.

Counties with the lowest percentage of residents with secondary level

education and are working for pay are Mombasa and Nairobi while the
Counties with the highest percentage of residents with secondary level
education and are working for pay are Mombasa Kiambu and Nairobi

Table 6.16 Percentage of Residents Working for Pay by NEC County

County No Primary Secondar County No Primary Secondar

formal level of y level of formal level of y level of
educatio educatio educatio educatio educatio educatio
n n n and n n n and
above above
Mombasa 28 37 46 Baringo 5 14 26
Kwale 10 16 34 U. Gishu 28 23 32
Kilifi 16 23 39 Nandi 24 22 27
T.Taveta 21 22 32 E. 13 11 21
Marakwe
t
Kitui 18 20 27 T.Nzoia 25 20 26
Makueni 19 23 25 Kakameg 17 15 22
a

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-44
 County No Primary Secondar County No Primary Secondar
formal level of y level of formal level of y level of
educatio educatio educatio educatio educatio educatio
n n n and n n n and
above above
Kajiado 12 32 44 Vihiga 18 16 22
Machakos 23 27 33 Bungoma 14 10 19
Nairobi 34 45 49 Busia 10 10 21
Kiambu 34 38 39 Kericho 20 21 30
Muranga 17 22 24 Bomet 13 15 24
Nyandaru 17 16 21 Kisumu 19 20 32
a
Nyeri 21 25 28 Siaya 11 13 22
Laikipia 16 22 32 Nakuru 24 26 36
Narok 8 10 26 West 55 38 06
Pokot
Turkana 82 15 03 Turkana 82 15 03
West 55 38 06 - - - -
Pokot
Source: Compiled from KNBS & SID Reports, 2013

6.10.8 Unemployment

Unemployment and underemployment have both been identified as

Kenya’s difficult and persistent problems. Over 13% of the working age
population is unemployed. About 67% of Kenya’s unemployed are
youths between 15 and 34 years of age. The highest unemployment
rates are for people around 20 years old at 35%. This makes
unemployment in Kenya a youth problem. It should be noted that the
Kenyan labour market, just like other countries, is always in a state of
flux with people leaving and changing jobs while others are joining.

6.10.9 Gini Coefficient

The Gini index measures the extent to which the distribution of

consumption expenditure among individuals or households within an
economy deviates from a perfectly equal distribution. A Gini index of
‘0’ represents perfect equality, while an index of ‘1’ implies perfect
inequality. See Table 6.17 for the Gini Index by NEC County.

Counties with Gini coefficient closer to zero have more even income
distribution than those with Gini coefficient closer to one. Income
distribution reveals possible markets sizes in the NEC that will support
manufactured goods resulting from proposed industrial projects.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-45
Table 6.17 Gini Coefficient by County

County Gini Coefficient County Gini Coefficient

Mombasa 0.356 Baringo 0.356
Kwale 0.597 U. Gishu 0.370
Kilifi 0.565 Nandi 0.343
T.Taveta 0.437 E. Marakwet 0.358
Kitui 0.388 T.Nzoia 0.360
Makueni 0.376 Kakamega 0.394
Kajiado 0.403 Vihiga 0.399
Machakos 0.403 Bungoma 0.430
Nairobi 0.341 Busia 0.459
Kiambu 0.335 Kericho 0.378
Muranga 0.361 Bomet 0.340
Nyandarua 0.394 Kisumu 0.430
Nyeri 0.365 Siaya 0.405
Laikipia 0.369 Nakuru 0.376
Narok 0.376 West Pokot 0.318
Turkana 0.283 - -
Source: Compiled from KNBS & SID Reports, 2013

6.10.10 Regional Integration and Preferential Trade Arrangements

Kenya’s total exports to East African Community (EAC) increased by

60% between 2008 and 2012 (KNBS, 2013). Uganda was Kenya’s leading
export destination (absorbing 13% of the country’s total exports) while
Tanzania was second at 9%. Exports to the EAC are diversified and
include chemicals, fuels and lubricants, machinery and transport
services.

In 2012, Kenya’s exports the EAC accounted for 54% of the total exports
to Africa and 26.1% of its exports. The exports to the Common Market
for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) increased by 58% and
accounted for 34& of the total exports in 2012. On the other hand, the
total exports imports from COMESA increased by 117%. (KNBS, 2013)

Box 6.35 Opportunities- Regional integration and preferential trade agreements

 Admission of Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan in the EAC has

expanded the market for products and services produced in this
region. As a result, Kenya’s industries are bound to produce and
sell more in the region.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-46
Box 6.36 Opportunities-Competition from Neighbouring Countries in Attracting
Regional Infrastructure

 Competition from neighbouring countries will enable the

proposed projects in the NEC to be undertaken in earnest and to
operate efficiently. That way, the NEC will not only be a head of
its competitors but will keep Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and
DRC using it as their transit route to and from the sea port of
Mombasa

Box 6.37 Constraint - Competition from neighbouring Countries in Attracting

Regional Infrastructure Projects

 Tanzania, Ethiopia, Sudan, Eritrea and Kenya appear to be

competing to attract the landlocked countries of Uganda,
Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan to use the transport corridors
through their countries. For example, Tanzania managed to
attract the Uganda oil export pipeline away from the Kenyan
route. This has deprived Kenya of the oil cargo that would
support meeting the cost of its LAPSSET project.

6.10.11 Challenges to Kenya’s Economy

As a nation, Kenya’s economy faces a number of challenges. The heavy

dependence on rain-fed agriculture and the tourism sector leaves it
vulnerable to cycles of boom and bust. The agricultural sector employs
nearly 75 per cent of the country’s 42 million people and half of the
sector’s output still remains subsistence production.

The economy has been hampered by numerous factors:

 population growth that is almost outstripping economic growth,
 heavy dependency on a few agricultural exports that are
vulnerable to world price fluctuations,
 prolonged drought that has necessitated power rationing,
 deteriorating infrastructure, and
 extreme disparities of wealth that have limited opportunities of
most to develop their skills and knowledge.

Poor governance and corruption also have had a negative impact on

growth, making it expensive to do business in Country. According to
Transparency International (2012), Kenya ranks among the world’s

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-47
half-dozen most corrupt countries. Bribery and fraud cost the country
as much as US$ 1 billion a year.

Other areas that have an impact on the Country’s economy are youth
unemployment, HIV/Aids burden, increasing debt and terrorism
threats.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-48
Box 6.38 Constraints – Challenges to Kenya’s Economy

Inequality between Regions

Not all regions within the NEC produce adequate cargo necessary to sustain
the transport infrastructure. The undeveloped areas need to be developed
before they can produce goods for handling by the transport modes.
Developing underdeveloped regions requires a lot of resources to be
dedicated to these regions before they may be able to produce more goods

Fluctuating Growth Rates of the Economy

Recent experiences show that Kenya’s economic growth rate has been
fluctuating, giving the impression that economic growth is not steadily
occurring. In situations where the actual economic growth rates fall below the
planned rates (at an average annual growth rate of 6.6%) as envisaged by the
Master Plan, implementation of the development strategies would be slowed
down, delayed, or even frustrated.

Increasing Prices for Imports

Due to inflationary situations in developed countries, the general trend has
been that prices of Kenya’s imports have been increasing in the past and, will
continue to increase in the future. This adversely affects the volume of cargo
to be handled by the transport infrastructure. More goods would be imported
if import prices were to increase much more slowly than they currently do.

Limited Funds for Development Projects

Implementation of the Development Strategies requires a lot of funds which
Kenya may not have or have in limited amounts. The Government needs to
reform the tax system so as to maximize revenues. Even when funds are
available, the Government would have to prioritize its expenditure among
competing interests. Funding can limit the Government to spend money on
big infrastructure projects.

Corruption
Corruption leads to the depletion of national wealth. Large scale corruption
hurts the economy and impoverishes entire population. In the social sphere,
corruption discourages people to work together for the common good.
Frustration and general apathy within the public results in a weak civil
society. Demanding and paying bribes becomes the tradition. It also results in
social inequality and widened gap between the rich and poor, civil strife,
increased poverty and lack of basic needs like food, water and drugs, jealousy
and hatred and insecurity. Corruption will thus adversely affect
implementation of the strategies by making infrastructure project expensive,
delay or, even fail. A country suffering from corruption cannot implement
sound plans and thus is not expected to benefit from sustainable development
despite embarking upon economic growth from time to time for some reason
or the other.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-49
6.11 POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT

Kenya has made considerable progress in recent years towards a

politically stable, democratic Country with the enactment of a new
Constitution in August 2010, the conclusion of a peaceful political
transition following the March 2013 elections, and the launch of a
devolved system of Governance in the same month.

However, Kenya exhibits some fragile characteristics, most importantly

the high level of poverty and regional disparities as well as high youth
unemployment, which, if not effectively addressed, might pose threats
to the country’s overall stability. There is, therefore, a strong need to
create economic opportunities for the disadvantaged groups of society,
in particular the youth, to avoid conflict and violence in the future.

Other factors of fragility include terrorist activities and ethnic tensions

compounded with a post-colonial land allocation that left certain
communities feeling dispossessed and created long-standing sources of
unrest.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-50
Box 6.39 Constraints - Security Concerns

Security Concerns
The economic growth and development anticipated in Vision 2030 can
only be achieved and sustained in a peaceful, stable and secure
environment. In the recent years, there has been a surge of terrorist
attacks in Eastern Africa and Kenya has had a share of these attacks.
Terrorists are motivated to disrupt the economy, to cause personal
injury to concentrations of people, to strike at symbolic targets, and
transport tools of terror using transport infrastructure. A secure
transportation system is critical to overall national security from
terrorism. There are also instances where intermittent insecurity,
conflicts and tensions occur thereby threatening movement of cargo.

Lack of Will
The implementation of government major projects and programs
largely depends on the political willingness of the government of the
day. There are many experiences in Kenya where good plans have been
shelved or postponed or overtaken by time for lack of political will.
This is because prioritizing of national projects is not only economic but
also a political decision

Absence of an Interagency Coordination Mechanism

The successful implementation of the NEC Master Plan Strategies will
require the active participation of other government agencies such as
the Ministries of Agriculture, Mining, Industrialization, and Internal
Security that have different mandates, policies, programs and plans to
be effectively coordinated. Failure or absence of such mechanism would
result into inter agency conflicts, competition, and duplication of efforts
and a waste of resources.

6.12 HERITAGE SITES AND MONUMENTS

6.12.1 Archaeological Sites

Archaeological heritage encompasses places that bear evidence of

human activity, all vestiges of human existence, abandoned structures,
and all kinds of remains, including under water and subterranean sites,
as well as, all the portable cultural material that may be associated with
them (1) . These places are preserved, conserved and protected by
countries not only because they reveal the heritage of people, but are

(1) Panosa, M. I (2012) Historical and Archaeological Heritage: Contributions and challenges. International Journal of
Humanities and Social Science, Vol.2 No, 22, 2012

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-51
 also tourist attractions. Table 6.18 below lists the important
archaeological sites within the NEC.

Table 6.18 Important Archaeological Sites within the NEC

Archaeological Sites Brief Description Location

Jumba la Mtwana Fifteenth century site Mtwapa, Kilifi County
and slave trade port
Olorgesailie Lower Paleolithic 64 km southwest of
archaeological site Nairobi along the road to
Lake Magadi, Kajiado
County
Kiandurusi Pre-historic site Kariandusi, Nakuru
County

Enkapune Ya Muto, also Late Stone age site Mau Escarpment

known as Twilight Cave
Enkorika Iron Age smelting site Narok

Njoro River Cave Dated to roughly 1000 Njoro, Nakuru County

BC
Sirikwa holes Sirikwa people Kerio Valley and Uasin
settlement site Gishu
Ngenyn Late Stone Age and/or a Kapthurin River Basin,
Savanna Pastoral Baringo
Neolithic
Kaputhurin Acheulean stone tools Near Lake Bogoria and
and animal bones left Lake Baringo
behind here
Gogo Falls Earliest appearances of Kanyamkago Hillside
artifacts and domestic near the modern dam on
animals are in the area the West bank of Kuja
River, L.Victoria Basin
Hyrax Hill Prehistoric site Near Narok

Koobi For Palaeontological locality Eastern shores of Lake

Turkana
Lomekwi Kenyanthropus site North western shores of
Lake Turkana
Namaratunga Archaeostronomical site West of Lake Turkana
Naturuk Pre-historic site South-West of Lake
Turkana
Lake Turkana Basin Australopicthecus fossils Lake Turkana Basin
Source: National Museums of Kenya, 2016

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-52
Box 6.40 Constraint – Presence of Archaeological Sites

Along the NEC there are a number of archaeological sites that have to
be preserved. . Development of the NEC transport infrastructure is
likely to disturb or disrupt these sites.

6.12.2 Historical Sites and Monuments

Historical sites and monuments represent great achievements in art and

architecture of a country. It is therefore important they are preserved so
that present and future generations can continue to enjoy and learn
from them as well. Important historical sites and monuments found
within the NEC are presented in Table 6.19 as well as Annex F.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-53
Table 6.19 Historical Sites and Monuments in the NEC

County Historical Site/Monument

Mombasa Fort Jesus, Kisauni Bell Tower, Mbaraki Pillar, Old Law Courts,
Mnarani Ruins, Mombasa Old Town, Portuguese Ship Wreck,
Redoubt, Mama Ngina Drive, Mombasa Old Club, Babu Motors,
Kilindini House, Ivory House, Issa Thawar House, Mombasa
Hospital Dispensary, Central Police Station, District Officer’s
Office, Anglican Cathedral, Macknon Market, Alidina Visram
School, Grindlays Bank, National Bank of Kenya, Valentine High
School, Kaya Kiteje, Kaya Pungu, Similani Cave, Uhuru Gardens,
Jomo Kenyatta Public Beach, KPA Maritine Museum Building,
KPA, St Emmanuel Church, Frere Town, Leven house, Sheikh
Mwinyime Shrine, Holy Ghost Cathederal, and Castle Hotel.
Kilifi Mtwapa Ruins, Takaungu North and Tangaungu South, Kaya
Mudzimiru,
Mnarani, Old Ronald Ngala Tombstone, Bedida Sacred Grove,
Kaya Mzizima, Kaya Bomu/Fimboni, Kaya Lunguma, Kaya
Mudzi Muvya, Kaya Kavuma, and Kaya Kauma
Kwale Kaya Bombo, Kaya Waa, Kaya Sega, Kaya Gonja, Kaya Jego, Kaya
Tiwi, Kaya Chitsanze, Kaya Chonyi, Kaya Mstwakara, Tiwi, and
Diani Ruins
Taita Old St. Marks ACK Church, Sagala
Taveta
Machakos Paul Ngei Mausoleum, Ol Donyo Sabuk House, the first District
Commissioner’s (DC’s) Office
Nairobi Old Provincial Commissioner’s (PC’s) Office, Nairobi, Uhuru Park
National Monument, Uhuru Gardens national Monument, Kenya
National Archives, Mc Millian Library, High Court Building,
Kipande House, City Park, Former Parkland Railway Staff
Quarters, Jeevanje Gardens, the Calton Fenzi Memorial Stone, the
War Memorial Statute, Institute of African Studies-Chiromo,
Nairobi School, Khoja Mosque, Pensions Building, Old Mutual
Building, Standard Chartered Building, Pan Africa House,
Royality House, Imperial Chambers, Imperial British East Africa,
Bull Gate, Prembro House, Surat District Association House,
Rahimutulla Trust Library, Bohra Mosque, Makhan Sigh House,
Dedan Kimani Statue, War Memorial Pillar, Nairobi Club, City
Park, Railway House, Lower Hill Road, Land’s Offices, Moi
Avenue, Siri Gurdwara Ramgharia, Peponi Road House No 21,
Westmister House, Shaffi Mosque, City Market, Nairobi South
Cementry, Desai House, 2nd Parklands Avenue, Pumwani
Community Memorial Hall, Tom Mboya Statue, YWCA
International House and Cameo Cinema Building.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-54
 County Historical Site/Monument
Kiambu Kijabe Church , AIC Church Ruins , Fort Smith near Muguga ,
Manse Kikuyu, St Paul Church ACK , Watson Scot Memorial,
PCEA Church at Thogoto, Githunguri Gallows, Jomo Kenyatta
College’s Residence, Mbiyu Koinanges’ College Residence,
Githunguri Girls Dormitory (Kiriri), Italian Prisoners of War
Pillar, Italian Prisoners of War Brick Manufacturing
Muranga Fort Hall, Mukurwe wa Nyagathanga, Bildad Kaggia Moseleum
and Ichagaki Prison Church
Nyeri Mau Mau Caves, Burgret Mau Mau Shelter and Mau Mau Trench;
Nakuru Lanet Prehistoric site, Fort Terman Paleo Site, Blixen House
(Naivasha) and Lord Egerton Castle
Nakuru Mt. Suswa Caves
Uasin Former Italian Barracks, Old Asian School, St. Peters’ Catholic
Gishu Church at Tuluap-Sigis
Bungoma Muhanda and Chetambes Forts
Kakamega Muliro Gardens and Ikhonga Murwi (weeping stone)
Vihiga Abatondo Sacred Forest, King George’s Tower and Asubwe
Sacred Groove
Busia Kakapeli Rock Shelter and Oluchiri Sacred Grove
Siaya Jaromogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum, Got Ramogi Hill, Kit
Mikayi Shrine and East Alego Nyangoma Kogelo, Kanam-Kanjera
Kisumu Old PC’s Office, DC’s Office, Police Headquarters
West Kapenguria Prison Meseum
Pokot
Turkana Kenyatta House
Source: National Museums of Kenya, 2016

Box 6.41 Opportunity - Presence of Historical Site and Monuments

Along the NEC there are a number of historical sites and monuments
that have to be avoided. The NEC Master Plan could plan for these sites
and boost tourism by making these sites more accessible.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

6-55
 7 ALTERNATIVE POLICY, OPTIONS AND STRATEGIES

Three alternative spatial structures for the NEC were examined,

taking into account the following factors:

iv) regional industrial development: promoting regional industrial

development;
v) urban centers of the region: centralizing urban functions or
decentralizing; and
vi) Transport network: promoting regional linkage.

The three alternative spatial structures for the NEC are described in this
Chapter, and include:

 Alternative A: Includes a “Super Double-Core Type” for

concentrating investments in capitals, which reflects the current
situation.

 Alternative-B: Includes a “Double-core with Regional Industrial

Promotion Type” for expanding export with industrial promotion;
and

 Alternative-C: Includes a “Multi-core with Regional Industrial

Development Type” for expanding export with industrial
promotion and balanced development.

7.1 ALTERNATIVES

7.1.1 Alternative A: Super Double Core Type

The Super Double Core Type alternative relates to concentrating

investment in capitals, which reflects the current situation. This spatial
structure follows current market demands and concentrates investment
especially in Nairobi and Kampala, which are referred to as “Primary
Cities”. Existing urban functions including businesses, commerce and
services would be centralised in ‘Primary Cities’ and these will grow
into much larger consumption areas. The supply of goods will rely
heavily on imports and the Primary Cities will become logistic hubs for
their surrounding areas and beyond (see Figure 7.1).

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

7-1
Figure 7.1 Alternative A: Super Double Core Type

Source, JST 2016

Table 7.1 below discusses the advantages and disadvantages of

Alternative A.

Table 7.1 Advantages and Disadvantages of the Super Double Core Type

Advantage Disadvantage
Lower development cost as it follows Excessive imports and imbalanced
current market demands and freight volumes
concentrates investment especially in
Primary Cities (such as Nairobi)
Relatively short development period Imbalanced development
Low cost to realize this structure plan -
as the area to be newly developed is
smaller than the other alternatives
Source, JST 2016

7.1.2 Alternative B: Double Core with Regional Industrial Promotion Type

Alternative B (Double Core with Regional Industrial Promotion Type)

relates to the expansion of export services along with industrial
promotion. It is similar to Alternative A in that urban functions would
also be centralised in the two Primary Cities of Nairobi and Kampala.
This spatial structure plan aims for developing “Regional Production
Centres” which aims to promote their potential regional products
including industry, agriculture, mining resources and tourism
resources.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

7-2
 Key industries in “Regional Production Centres” will be promoted to
produce goods for export through utilising resources as the regional
advantage. These products will be transported to Primary Cities and
out of the NEC region (see Figure 7.2). In this alternative, the
involvement of local Government will be required so as to improve the
production of products and goods from the regional production
centres. Export of the regional products will be expected to make
transportation cost to Mombasa port decrease with improving the
problem of empty return cargo.

Figure 7.2 Alternative B: Double Core with Regional Industrial Promotion Type

Source, JST 2016

Table 7.2 below discusses the advantages and disadvantages of

Alternative B.

Table 7.2 Advantages and Disadvantages of Alternative B

Advantages Disadvantages
Expansion of exports Imbalanced development
Replacement of imports by domestic High development cost
products
- Longer development period
Source, JST 2016

7.1.3 Alternative C: Multi-Core with Regional Industrial Development Type

The Multi-Core with Regional Industrial Development Type alternative

aims at balanced growth and efficient logistics in the NEC region by
promoting urban functions of 18 Secondary Cites, including 6
Secondary cum Regional Production Centres (see Figure 0.3).

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

7-3
 This alternative promotes decentralizing urban functions to Secondary
Cities, urbanization of them and concentration of population on them
from surrounding region. Similar to Alternative B, it aims to promote
Regional Production Centres, because demand for commercial and
services in urban area (which results from surrounding regional area)
will promote the demand of Secondary Cities.

These Secondary Cities will serve as regional urban centres supplying

urban services and logistics hub connecting Regional Production
Centres and Primary Cities as consumption areas. In this alternative,
the involvement of local Government is also essential. The initial cost to
realize this structure plan will be higher than the other alternatives
because the area to be newly developed is larger. This structure plan
needs more public engagement and management capacity for urban
management and development control to avoid unnecessary
development in a planned manner.

Figure 7.3 Alternative C: Multi-Core with Regional Industrial Development Type

Source, JST 2016

Table 7.3 below discusses the advantages and disadvantages of

Alternative C.

Table 7.3 Advantages and Disadvantages of Alternative C

Advantages Disadvantages
Expansion of export and replacement Highest development costs
of imports by domestic products
Balanced development Longest development period
Source, JST 2016

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

7-4
 This is the preferred alternative because it is consistent with Vision 2030, the
MoTI Strategic Plan and the goals of the NEC Master Plan, which are to
improve logistics for the NEC as well as provide an integrated regional
development strategy consistent with sub-regional development plans and
national development plans. This alternative is therefore the basis of this
SEA.

7.1.4 Alternative D: No Go Alternative

The no-go alternative means that the proposed Master Plan is not
implemented in its entirety, leading to the following disadvantages:

 Continuous Road Congestion mainly around Mombasa, Nairobi,

Nakuru, Eldoret, Kisumu and Malaba in Kenya. The congestion
around these points is caused by cargo and passenger traffic,
delays and high cost of running logistics.

 Stretched Mombasa Port Operations Capacity, as Mombasa Port is

the only international seaport on the NEC and while the Port has
implemented projects with capacity expansion and efficiency
improvement, these developments have not matched the 10%
average annual growth rate in demand for import cargo
registered in the past five years.

 Cross Border Delays, for example in Malaba Town which is

located between Kenya and Uganda, where queues of more than
3 km are commonly witnessed during the daytime. In addition,
custom clearance procedures are still inefficient due to lack of
human capacity, electricity, internet communication, inadequate
parking lots and access road among others.

As such, this No-Go option alternative is not considered reasonable and will
not be considered any further in this SEA.
7.2 ALTERNATIVE SCENARIO ANALYSIS

7.2.1 Overview

Scenario analysis was used to present alternative futures of the Multi-

Core with Regional Industrial Development Type, i.e., the preferred
alternative and the focus of the SEA Study. Scenario building focused
on:

 Identifying the strategic issues associated with the Master Plan

(i.e., identification of the critical success factors and key
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI
7-5
 concerns). These are spurring production and regional
development;

 Representing the current state of the environment (e.g., levels of

biophysical, social and economic environments);

 Describing the key driving forces and what was inevitably

giving the driving forces. These are agricultural, industrial
mineral, tourism sectors;

 Identifying key uncertainties that could determine a different

evolution of the future. These would be economic growth rates;
and

 Outlining possible futures (given the key driving forces and

uncertainties).

7.2.2 Economic Framework for the NEC and East Africa Community

The Kenyan economy is projected to experience a solid growth of 6-7%

in the medium term, based on the following assumptions (1):

 crude oil export would start from the year 2020,

 import of refined oil products from the Middle East or Uganda

due to the current outlook of low oil prices and economic
reasons,

 the impact of crude oil production may be more significant at the

beginning of oil production and is projected to help attain a
growth of 9% in the year 2020, but diminish gradually as the size
of the economy grows

(1) JST, 2016, Master Plan on the Logistics in the NEC – Draft Final Report

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

7-6
Table 7.4 Future Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Projection in Kenya 2015-2020

GDP/Sector 2015 2020 2025 2030

GDP growth 5.6% 8,6% 7.9% 5.7%
(% base case)
Agriculture 24.0% 22.5% 20.9% 20%
(% of total)
Industry (% of 21% 24.2% 25.9% 25.4%
total)
Service (% of 55% 53.3% 53.3% 47.4%
total)
Source: JST, 2016

7.2.3 Scenario Analysis

Scenario analysis presents several alternative future developments in

order to determine a scope of possible future outcomes. Therefore,
when analysing scenarios, it is useful to generate an optimistic, a
pessimistic, and a most likely scenario, as discussed in the Sections
below, where the possible outcomes of the NEC Master Plan depend on
how the economy performs in the future.

7.2.3.1 Scenario 1: Status quo

For the purpose of this analysis, this scenario is defined by the Kenyan
Growth Domestic Product (GDP) growing at the current rate of 6.5%
based on the assumptions discussed in Section 7.2.2.

7.2.3.2 Scenario 2: Optimistic

This analysis of the outcomes of Master Plan is based on the national

economy growing at higher rate than 6.5%

7.2.3.3 Scenario 3: Pessimistic

This scenario is based on an annual growth rate of less than 6.5%.

7.2.3.4 Scenario Analysis

Table 7.5 therefore shows the analysis of the Multi-Core with Regional
Industrial Development Type in relation to the various scenarios expected
within the 20-year implementation period of the NEC Masterplan, for
the chosen alternative:

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

7-7
Table 7.5 Scenario Analysis of the Multi-Core with Regional Industrial Development Type

SCENARIO 1 – Status Quo (i.e., GDP at a SCENARIO 2 – Optimistic (i.e., GDP SCENARIO 3 – Pessimistic (i.e., GDP
rate of 6.5%) growing at a higher rate than 6.5%) growing at a slower rate than 6.5%)
Issues
Transport In the various cities, i.e. Nairobi, Mombasa The high economic growth shall result in There would be a deterioration of roads in the
and Nakuru, there shall be congestion construction of better roads within the towns cities, since there shall be little or no
leading to high operating costs for motor and also by passes, resulting in less congestion maintenance of existing roads, and no
vehicles. within towns, and subsequently low operation construction of new roads. Therefore more
costs for motor vehicles. congestion shall be experienced within the
We shall continue to experience accident cities.
on the roads especially the Mombasa- On the highways, there shall also be dedicated
Nairobi road, due to the high number of lanes for cargo trucks resulting in fewer Decreased economy growth shall lead in a
Cargo trucks. accidents on the road. decrease in cargo handled in Mombasa port,
resulting in underutilisation of the port.
At the port, the cargo clearance time shall At the port of Mombasa, there shall be a
remain to be high due to the lack of reduction in the time taken to clear goods A decrease in the rate of economic growth
synergy amongst the clearing agencies. resulting from an integrated system of cargo shall lead to inability to control the water
clearance. hyacinth in lake Victoria, leading to collapse of
For the inland water ways, the operations the waterway transport, which shall lead to
shall remain at a low scale due to lack of At the port of Lake Victoria, there shall be collapse of businesses which transport goods
modern berths and shallow channels construction of modern berths, state-of-the-art from Kenya to Uganda and vice versa
restricting the size of vessels. cargo handling equipment and dredging the
access channel to enable the port to handle For the SGR a, decrease in economic growth
If the status quo remains, the SGR may bigger vessels. may lead to incompletion of the infrastructure
take a long time to complete, due to and the inability to recover the investment
strained resources, and therefore the An increase in economic growth shall lead to already injected in the project.
benefits may take a long time to be reaped. timely completion of the SGR construction.
This shall lead to increased trade in areas There will be underutilisation of the existing
The airports shall continue to experience served by the SGR due to decreased cost of airports due to decreased exports.
the inadequate warehouses to store goods doing business and therefore improved
and also delay in delivery of imported livelihood
goods to their destination due to lack of
last mile transport of the goods. Expansion of existing airports due to increase
in import and export, and also availability of
resources for expansion.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

7-8
 SCENARIO 1 – Status Quo (i.e., GDP at a SCENARIO 2 – Optimistic (i.e., GDP SCENARIO 3 – Pessimistic (i.e., GDP
rate of 6.5%) growing at a higher rate than 6.5%) growing at a slower rate than 6.5%)
Issues
Bio-physical The magnitude and scope of impacts In this scenario, there will be more growth in Under this scenario there will be less growth in
under this scenario will be as predicted in the target economic sectors of the NEC MP the sectors targeted by the NEC MP as well as
this Report. This scenario is the basis of and others, promoting infrastructure others.
this SEA’s impact prediction and analysis. development.
There will be less infrastructure growth than
The significant potential negative impacts Compared to other scenarios, this will create Scenario 1 and thus less demand for natural
are found to include: the most demand on the natural resources resources. As such the scope of impacts is at
required for the development of the NEC MP’s most similar to Scenario 1.
 Habitat Alteration and Biodiversity projects. In addition, landscape modifications
Impacts; would be more significant in contrast to the Compared to Scenario 2, there will be less
 Air Emissions; other scenarios. pressure on sensitive ecosystems by the
 Soil Alteration; infrastructure projects and spurred human
 Hydrological Modifications; The pressure placed on sensitive ecosystems settlements linked to the NEC MP.
 Pollution Risk; by the infrastructure projects and spurred
 Natural Resources Demand, and human settlements linked to the NEC MP will Financial and social capacities to manage the
 Health and Safety Risks. be the highest in this scenario. This is because risks of the NEC MP will be the least and
it is anticipated that the population will grow therefore their magnitude will be higher on
These impacts are fairly distributed in the the most in industrial or economic centres their receptors when compared to the other
target areas of the NEC MP. In general, targeted by the NEC MP. scenarios. Due to these lower capacities, there
this scenario has a mostly moderate will be more pressure for innovation in
outcome as compared to the other two The magnitude and scope of impacts is environmental risk management.
scenarios. therefore the highest in this scenario. In
particular, the geographical scope of these
impacts will be spread out more than the other
scenarios due to a higher intensification of
economic activities.

On the other hand, financial and social

capacities to manage environmental risks will
be the highest in this scenario. Therefore,
mitigation, monitoring and management
measures will be easier to implement whereas
there will be more potential for innovation.
Archaeological and historical heritage Archaeological and historical heritage sites Archaeological and historical heritage sites
Social sites would be threatened would be highly threatened may not be threatened

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

7-9
 SCENARIO 1 – Status Quo (i.e., GDP at a SCENARIO 2 – Optimistic (i.e., GDP SCENARIO 3 – Pessimistic (i.e., GDP
rate of 6.5%) growing at a higher rate than 6.5%) growing at a slower rate than 6.5%)
Issues
Cultural state of affairs would gradually Cultural state of affairs would change Cultural state of affairs would not change
change significantly much

Public investments in socio-economic More public investments in socio-economic Less public investments in socio-economic
infrastructure (education, health, housing, infrastructure (education, health, housing, infrastructure (education, health, housing,
water, energy) would be undertaken at the water, energy) would be undertaken at higher water, energy) would be undertaken at a lower
current rate rate rate than in scenario 1

Rural urban migration would continue Rural Urban migration would be minimized Rural urban migration would escalate

Unemployment will increase than Unemployment would decrease Unemployment would increase more than in
presently is the case scenario 1
Economic The economy will be growing at 6.5% The average annual growth rate would be The average annual growth rate would be less
greater than 6.5%. than 6.5%.
Current level of investments in More investments in agricultural, mineral, Output in the drivers (The agricultural,
agricultural, mineral, fisheries and tourist fisheries and tourism sectors will be made mineral, fisheries and tourism sectors) would
sectors would continue contract

Current growth rates of the drivers Growth rates of the drivers (agricultural, Growth rates of the drivers (agricultural,
(agricultural, mineral, fisheries and industrial, mineral, fisheries and tourism industrial, mineral, fisheries and tourism
tourism sectors) would be maintained sectors) would increase sectors would decline

More jobs would be created Many more jobs would be created Very few jobs would be created

There would be enough cargo to be There may be too much enough cargo to be The transport logistics infrastructure would
handled by the transport logistics handled by the transport logistics lack enough cargo to handle. It would operate
infrastructure. infrastructure. below planned capacities

Land use Less change of land use because the More change of land uses due to rapid growth No changes of land uses since there will be
developments are moderate and development little to no developments
Inadequate land use information There will be land use database on a regular Lack of adequate land use information
basis which will be categorized sufficiently
and effectively
Insufficient land use framework and plan There will be integrated land use framework Lack of integrated land use framework and
and plan at national, regional and local level plan
Difficulty to achieve target land use cover Zoning of forest and wetland areas to protect The target land use cover of forest and
of forest and wetland due to infrastructure them from further degradation wetlands can be achieved since there will be no
development infrastructure development
Land values Changes in land values due to speculation Changes in land values due to speculation No changes in land values

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

7-10
 SCENARIO 1 – Status Quo (i.e., GDP at a SCENARIO 2 – Optimistic (i.e., GDP SCENARIO 3 – Pessimistic (i.e., GDP
rate of 6.5%) growing at a higher rate than 6.5%) growing at a slower rate than 6.5%)
Issues
Land Tenure Secure land tenure system. Secure land tenure system. Insecure Land tenure systems
System Efficient system of land delivery with Efficient system of land delivery with
preparation and maintenance of cadastral preparation and maintenance of cadastral
information indicating not merely who information indicating not merely who owns
owns what interest in land, but other what interest in land, but other details such as
details such as land capability, uses, size, land capability, uses, size, distribution and
distribution and topographical topographical characteristics.
characteristics.
Land No clear regulations of land acquisition Increase interests to safeguard issues like food Increased uncontrolled land acquisition and
Acquisition and resettlement e.g. croplands protection security land which hold multi crop potential resettlement systems Increased uncontrolled
and can be acquired and the owner be resettled in compensation methods.
Resettlement another area or compensated e.g. case of and
irrigation scheme
Settlement Insufficient frameworks to fully control Settlement patterns will be controlled through Increased uncontrolled settlements and
Patters settlement structure. the implementation of plans and through developments
Poor implementation of set guidelines zoning and building coding systems. Eruption of informal settlements
governing or controlling settlements

Urbanisation No clear guidelines to control urbanization Growth of urban centres and other growth Lack of integrated plans to control
e.g. integrated plans. drivers urbanization, Urban Sprawl

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

7-11
 8 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

8.1 OVERVIEW

This Chapter presents a summary of the stakeholder engagement

undertaken as part of the SEA. It also serves as a summary of a more
detailed Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), which presents the
engagement approach and identifies stakeholders and the mechanisms
through which stakeholders have been engaged. The complete SEP is
included in Annex E.

The engagement process has been designed to meet both Kenyan legal
requirements for public participation in relation to a SEA and
international requirements for engagement as outlined in the JICA
Guidelines for Environmental and Social Considerations, 2010.

8.2 OBJECTIVES OF STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

The objectives of engaging stakeholders and the general public during

the SEA process and beyond include:

 Ensuring understanding: An open, inclusive and transparent

process of engagement and communication was undertaken to
ensure that stakeholders were well informed about the Master Plan
as it developed. Information was disclosed as early and as
comprehensively as possible and appropriate.

 Involving stakeholders in the assessment: Stakeholders were

included in the scoping of issues as well as the SEA Study. They also
played an important role in providing local knowledge and
information for the baseline to inform the impact assessment.

 Building relationships: Through supporting open dialogue,

engagement helped establish and maintain a productive
relationship between the Master Plan and stakeholders. This
supports not only an effective SEA, but also strengthens the existing
relationships and builds new relationships between MoTI and
stakeholders.

 Ensuring compliance: The process was designed to ensure

compliance with both national regulatory requirements and
international best practice.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

8-1
 One of the key outcomes of engagement should be free, prior and
informed consultation of stakeholders, where this can be understood to
be:

 Free: engagement free of external manipulation or coercion and

intimidation;

 Prior: engagement undertaken in a timely way, for example the

timely disclosure of information; and

 Informed: engagement enabled by relevant, understandable and

accessible information.

8.3 STAKEHOLDER IDENTIFICATION AND MAPPING

8.3.1 Stakeholder Identification

Stakeholder identification was undertaken through a brainstorming

process and to guide the exercise, the following questions were asked:

 Which people/groups/institutions would be interested in the

Master Plan development and implementation? What is/would be
their role?
 Who are the potential beneficiaries of the NEC?
 Who might be adversely impacted? Who has constraints about the
initiative?
 Who may impact the Master Plan? Who has the power to influence?

Thereafter, a list of stakeholder’s organizations was developed and

grouped as government, civil society, NGOs and private sector, as
presented in Table 8.1 below and the detailed Stakeholder Database is
provided in Annex E.

The next step was to analyse the list of stakeholders to better

understand their relevance and the perspective they offer, to
understand their relationship to the issues and each other and, to
prioritize based on their the relative usefulness for the SEA
engagement. A list of criteria used to analyse each stakeholder is as
follows:

 Contribution (value): does the stakeholder have information

counsel or expertise on the issue that could be helpful to the SEA
process?

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

8-2
 Legitimacy: how legitimate is the stakeholders claim for
engagement?
 Willingness to engage: how willing is the stakeholder to engage?
 Influence: how much influence does the stakeholder have?
 Necessity of involvement: can the stakeholder derail or
delegitimize the SEA process if they were not included in the
engagement?

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

8-3
Table 8.1 List of Identified Stakeholders

Stakeholder Category Stakeholder Group Connection to the Master Plan

Government  Government agencies National Government are of primary
 National regulatory bodies importance in terms of establishing PPPs

 Key County Authorities County government are also of primary

importance as they are responsible for
implementation of legislation, and
development plans and policies at the County
level. The NEC traverses 29 Counties.
Civil Society  Community Based Organisations Organisations with direct interest in the NEC
 Community of Other Associations and Master Plan, and its social and
 Research and Academic environmental aspects and that are able to
Institutions influence the Master Plan directly or through
public opinion. Such organisations may also
have useful data and insight and may be able
to become partners to the Master Plan in areas
of common interest.
Non-Governmental Organisations  National NGOs with direct interest in the NEC and
(NGOs)  Local Master Plan, and its social and environmental
aspects and that are able to influence the
Master Plan directly or through public
opinion.

Private Sector  Private Sector Private Sector with direct interest in the NEC,
and the impact it will have on their businesses.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

8-4
8.3.2 Stakeholder Mapping

8.3.2.1 Stakeholder Mapping

Mapping stakeholders is a visual exercise and analysis tool used to

establish which stakeholders are most useful to engage with. Mapping
allows one to see where stakeholders stand when valuated by the same
key criteria and compared to each other and helps to visualize the often
complex interplay of issues and relationships created in then criteria
chart above.

When developing stakeholder map, the SEA team considered the

following questions:

1. What is the stakeholder’s level of influence? Level of influence

refers to the stakeholder’s breadth of authority and influence (direct
or indirect) to the success of the SEA, including positional authority,
financial power, or persuasive power over decision-makers.
2. What is the extent of the stakeholder’s potential contributions?
For example, does the stakeholder have information, expertise, or
resources (current or potential) that will facilitate the development
and execution of the Master Plan? What perspectives or experiences
does the stakeholder bring to the conversation that is unique to his
or her community?
3. What is the stakeholder’s commitment level? What would be the
organization’s role in executing the Master Plan? How committed is
the organization’s leadership to executing the Master Plan? How
will the change associated with the Master Plan affect the
organization?

8.3.2.2 Creating a Stakeholder Map

After detailed information was gathered about the stakeholders, the

next task was to create a Stakeholder Map. This is a visual exercise and
analysis tool to help determine the extent to which different
stakeholders could be engaged in the SEA process, based on their level
of influence and potential contributions.

In order to create the stakeholder map, the SEA team classified each
stakeholder as either high influence or low influence, and as either high
contribution or low contribution. The stakeholders were then placed
into the appropriate quadrant (group) on the stakeholder map: A, B, C,
or D (see Figure 8.1 below). Those that fell into groups B, C, and D were
considered key stakeholders because they had substantial influence,
could make substantial contributions to the SEA process, or both.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

8-5
Figure 8.1 Stakeholder Mapping

High
B. A.
High influence/Low High influence/High
contribution contribution

Level of Influence
D. C.
Low Low influence/High
influence/Low contribution
contribution

Low High
Contribution

8.3.2.3 Stakeholder Groups

Group A (high influence, high contribution): These stakeholders

appear to have a high degree of influence on the Master Plan and are of
high importance to its success. Therefore, the SEA Team created good
working relationships with these stakeholders, to ensure an effective
coalition of support for the SEA.

Group B (high influence, low contribution): These are stakeholders

with high influence, who can affect the outcomes of the SEA, but whose
interests were not necessarily aligned with the overall goals of the
Master Plan.

Group C (low influence, high contribution): These stakeholders are of

high importance to the success of the Master Plan, but have low
influence. This implies that they require special initiatives if their
interests are to be protected. Because of their substantial contributions,
they can help shape the implementation of the SEA and therefore, in
some circumstances, be valued more highly than stakeholders in Group
C.

Group D (low influence, low contribution): The stakeholders in this

group have low influence and low importance to the Master Plan
objectives. Therefore they are of low priority and require limited
engagement.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

8-6
 8.3.2.4 Approaches and Methods for Engaging Stakeholders

Table 8.2 Approaches and Methods for Engaging Stakeholders

Stakeholder/Organisatio Approach Methodology

n
Group A (High Engage and consult  Inclusion in strategy
Influence, High regularly advisory group or
Contribution) SEA team
Involve in decision- consultations
making of:  Inclusion in thematic
 strategic priorities, consultations
 intervention  Key informant
selection, and interviews,
 cost estimate  Consensus-building
and decision-making
forums
Group B (High Consult on specific areas Same as Group A, plus:
Influence, Low of One-on-one
Contribution) expertise/Contribution consultations

Proactively engage
Group C (Low Influence, Same as Group A, plus: Same as Group A, plus:
High  Dedicated
Contribution Work with stakeholders stakeholder
to ensure that expressed consultation during
needs and concerns are situation analysis to
directly reflected in the gather stakeholder
SEA input
 Solicitation of
recommendations for
interventions
 Review of planned
intervention

This list of stakeholders mapped according to their levels of influence

and contribution is presented in the SEP in Annex E.

8.4 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

8.4.1 Stakeholder Meetings

Various stakeholder meetings were then held as shown in Table 8.3 and
Table 8.4 below. The minutes and the list of participants in the meetings
are attached in Annex F. It is important to note that since the coverage
area of the Master Plan is so extensive:

 the target participants was limited to high level officials, and

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

8-7
  the places where the stakeholder meetings were conducted was
limited to major cities/towns along the Corridor, namely
Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu and Malaba (1) .

(1) This was agreed in consultative meetings between NEMA/JST/MoTI.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

8-8
Table 8.3 Stakeholder Meetings at the Scoping Stage

Date Location Venue Attendees

02nd November 2015 Nairobi Silver Springs Hotel JICA, various Government Ministries,
PIEA, LAPSSET Authority, KURA, Traffic
Police, NEMA, KPC, SP Advisory, Toyota
Tsusho East Africa Ltd, KIFWA, KURA,
KeNHA, KeRRA
04th November 2015 Mombasa Best Western Creekside Hotel Ministry of Lands, KIFWA, KPRL,
NCTTCA, KPA
06th November 2015 Nakuru Merica Hotel Ministry of Industrialisation, NEMA, KAM,
Ministry of Labour, Social Security and
Services, County Government of Nakuru
09th November 2015 Kisumu Imperial Hotel Ministry of Energy, NEMA, KeNHA and
Lake Victoria Basin Development Authority
09th November 2015 Kisumu Kisumu County Government Offices Kisumu County Government CEC-
Information Communication and
Technology
10th November 2015 Kisumu Kenya Association of Manufacturers KAM Western and Nyanza Region and the
(KAM) Offices in Kisumu Kenya National Chambers of Commerce
and Industry (KNCCI)-Western and
Nyanza Region
10th November 2015 Kisumu County Government Offices, City Hall, Kisumu County
Kisumu Government City Planner
10th November 2015 Kisumu Kisumu County Government Offices Kisumu County
Government CEC- Industrialisation
10th November 2015 Kisumu Tom Mboya Labour College, Kisumu Government Officials from Busia County
City

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

8-9
Date Location Venue Attendees
11th November 2015 Malaba Hotel Lavantes Sub County Officers - Busia County, Kenya
Urban Roads Authority (KURA), Kenya
National Highways Authority (KeNHA),
Kenya National Chambers of Commerce
and Industry (KNCCI), NEMA, Customs
and Revenue Business Owners Association,
Amagoro Motor Cycle Boda-Boda
Association, Community of Malaba.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

8-10
Table 8.4 Stakeholder Meetings at the SEA Study Stage

Date Location Venue Attendees

04th May 2016 Kisumu Imperial Hotel MoTI, JST, KeNHA, LBDA, NIB, Maseno
University, NEMA, KMFRI, AFFA
06th May 2016 Malaba Hotel Lavantes MoTI, JST, County Government of Busia,
KeRRA, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock
and Fisheries, FOPPS SACCO, Immigration
Malaba Border. KeNHA, KeRRA, NEMA
09th May 2016 Mombasa Best Western Creekside Hotel MoTI, JST, Immigration Department,
CORDIO East Africa, Coast Water Services
Board, KPRL, KMA, NEMA, KeRRA,
KNCC, KFS, NCTTCA
11th May 2016 Nakuru Merica Hotel MoTI, JST, KeNHA, MOEID, Department of
Immigration, KeRRA, Egerton University,
NEMA
13th May 2016 Nairobi Silver Springs Hotel MoTI, JST, KARA, AFIPEK, Kenya Water
Institute, JICA Kenya, FEAFFA, KWS,
PIEA, Green Belt Movement, LAPSSET,
KeRRA, Nature Kenya. RVR, Kenya
Pipeline Company, KNCCI, KFWG,
Transport Union, National Museums of
Kenya
01st September 2016 Nairobi CS Board Room, Works Building, MoTI Principal Secretary (PS) Representatives
from the following State Departments:
Planning and Statistics, Water, Devolution,
Public Work, MoTI, JST
22nd September 2016 Nairobi Panafric Hotel Representative from the Council of
Governors, Ministry of Devolution and
Planning, MoTI, JST.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

8-11
8.4.2 Baseline Phase Engagement

8.4.2.1 Opinion Surveys

Two sets of opinion surveys/questionnaires were administered during

the stakeholder meetings. The results were used to inform the baseline
data.

8.4.2.2 Key Informant Interviews

Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were held with stakeholders in April

and May 2016, where the interviewees were taken through a guided
discussion. See Table 8.5 for the discussion topics and Table 8.6 for the
interview schedule. The interviews were held one on one between
Stakeholders and individual SEA team members.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

8-12
Table 8.5 KII Discussion Topics

Subject Question/Discussion Topic Target Respondent/

Stakeholder
Environment
Designated and Sensitive Areas Industrial corridors KWS, KFS
Are there any gazetted or at least recognized industrial corridors in
the PAs according to their management plans?
PCAs and CCAs KWS, KFS
What are the sensitivities of the PCAs and CCAs intersected by the
NEC?
Do the authorities maintain any data or records on them?
Unprotected Sensitive Areas KFS, KWS
Besides the priority ecosystems identified in KWS’s website are
there any other ecosystems in the NEC that are not protected?
Threats KWS, KFS
Which threats face the protected areas intersected?
Species of Commercial Value KWS, KFS, County
The species (flora and Fauna) of commercial value found in the NEC Governments
and their markets.
Pollution and Air Quality Pollution and Air Quality County
The main forms of pollution that occur in their respective counties, Governments, KPA
their causes, impacts and actions being taken in response.
Regulatory Framework Adequacy of Current Framework All stakeholders
Any regulatory gaps in their jurisdictions or mandates with respect
to management of natural resources.
Hydrology Are there any recently documented articles on the hydrological and WRMA
hydrogeological conditions of all the counties? If yes where? Kenya Metrological
Department.
Geology and Soils Do the authorities have recent soil surveys done along the corridor?
How have the recent changes in land use affected the structures and KARLO
composition of the soil along the corridor?
Socio-Economic

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

8-13
Subject Question/Discussion Topic Target Respondent/
Stakeholder
Effects/impact of implementing the How will implementation of the NEC Master Plan affect/impact on All stakeholders
NEC Master Plan on other implementation of your policy, programs and plans and, vice versa?
organizations
Socio-economic compatibility of What are the compatible socio-economic areas (actual and potential) All stakeholders
NEC Master Plan and other between NEC Master Plan and your policy, programs and plans?
intuitional policies, programmes
and plans
Socio-economic conflicts between What are the socio-economic areas of conflict (actual and potential) All stakeholders
the NEC Master Plan and other between the NEC Master Plan and your policy, programs and
institutional policies, programmes plans?
and plans
Strategic actions and Propose specific strategic actions that the NEC Master plan should All stakeholders
recommendations have to:
a) enhance compatibility; and
b) mitigate the conflicts.

Archaeological sites Are archaeological and historical sites documented in their National Museums of
respective counties? Kenya
Do the authorities maintain any records on them?
Additional sources of information Is there useful documentation that you know of, that the SEA Team All stakeholders
should note, refer to, or guide them while assessing the NEC Master
Plan?
Do the authorities maintain any records on them
Urban/Physical Planning
Urban areas How will the urban areas found along the corridor likely to be Ministry of Lands,
affected economically by the NEC? Housing and Urban
Development
Transport

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

8-14
Subject Question/Discussion Topic Target Respondent/
Stakeholder
Road Reserve The NEC is looking at a 50km buffer on both sides of the KeNHA, KURE,
infrastructure corridor where industrial and commercial KeRRA, KRB
investments and farms will be situated. Shall the reserve for
infrastructure be available along the corridor? And if not what is the
way forward?

Economic Growth Centres Since the NEC infrastructure by-passes some of the proposed KeNHA, KURE,
growth centres, are there plans to connect them to the NEC KeRRA, KRB
infrastructure?

Inter-modal transport efficiency. There has been an increase in cargo transport on road rather than MoTI
rail transport. What policies and plans are there to increase
efficiency on inter-modal transport and prevent overuse and under
use some means of transport?

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

8-15
Table 8.6 Key Informant Interviews Schedule

Date Location Venue Stakeholder/Representative

19th April 2016 Nairobi KWS Headquarters Nairobi KWS Warden in Charge of Nairobi National
Park
Kisumu Kenya Railways Offices Port Manager
Mombasa Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) KMA Marine Safety Engineer
Headquarters
Kisumu County Government Officers Chief Officer Communication, Planning and
Development
20th April 2016 Nakuru County Environment Offices County Director Environment (NEMA,
Nakuru)
Mombasa KWS Headquarters Mombasa Assistant Director KWS Coast
Kisumu KPC Offices KPC Assistant Director
Nairobi KNCCI Offices KNCCI Manager in the Department of
Trade
Nakuru KeRRA Regional Offices KeRRA Regional Manager
Nairobi KeRRA Headquarters Director General and Senior Engineer
Nakuru County Government Offices CEC Lands, Housing and Physical Planning
Nakuru County Government Offices CEC in charge of Agriculture, Livestock and
Fisheries
21st April 2016 Malaba PALWECO Offices Sub County Coordinator Malaba,
Mombasa KNCCI Offices Executive Officer KNCCI Mombasa
Busia Busia County Offices County Government Busia- Chief Officer
Public Works and Energy
Busia Assistant County Commissioner Assistant County Commissioner
Malaba Office
22nd April 2016 Mombasa KFS Headquarters Assistant Director KFS Coast Region
Mombasa Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Environmental Officer
Kisumu KPA Inland Container Depot (ICD) Port Manager
Kisumu Kisumu City County Offices Director City Planning, Kisumu City

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

8-16
Date Location Venue Stakeholder/Representative
26th April 2016 Nakuru KeNHA Regional Offices KeNHA Regional Manager- South Rift
Nakuru CEC Roads, Infrastructure and Public CEC Roads Infrastructure and Public Works
Works Offices and KURA Regional Manager- South Rift
Region
05th May 2016 Busia KeRRA Offices, Busia Town Deputy Regional Manager- KeRRA Busia
Region
Busia Busia County Government- Roads, County Chief Officer- Roads, Transport and
Transport and Public Works, Busia County
Public Works- RT&PW Offices
Busia Busia County Government- Lands, County Executive Member- Lands, Housing
Housing and Urban Development and Urban Development, Busia County
(LH&UD) Offices

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

8-17
 8.4.3 Website

A website for the purpose of information disclosure of the activities

related to SEA was also developed. The website has been used for the
advertisement of events such as stakeholder meetings but also reports
and documents related to the Master Plan and SEA are kept there for
download and review by the public. This website is hosted on the
server of the MoTI and as such will continue to be updated after the
SEA study by the Ministry. The address for the website is:
http://www.transport.go.ke/Projects.html

8.5 OUTCOMES OF STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT DURING THE SEA PROCESS

Overall, the development of a Master Plan for the NEC was highly
welcomed and appreciated. Stakeholders pointed out that the Master
Plan would guide the Country and Counties on matters of transport
infrastructure and logistical development. If the Plan is implemented as
envisaged, then it will increase communications, production, trade and
employment in Kenya, as well as the neighbouring countries. The
Sections below provide a summary of area specific as well as cross-
cutting concerns:

8.5.1 Area Specific Concerns

Box 8.1 Comments and Concerns raised in Mombasa County

 Traffic congestion in the City of Mombasa and long roads

leading to the City Centre
 Long cargo clearing time at the Port of Mombasa
 Limited packing space for trucks at the Port of Mombasa
 Corruption at the Port of Mombasa and Mariakani weighbridge
 Overloading of trucks
 Road damages caused by overloaded trucks
 Congestion of trucks at the weighbridge at Mariakani
 Long queues and delays at the Mombasa-Likoni Ferry Crossing
 Time taken to transport goods is longer by Kenya Railways than
by road hence making the it relatively expensive
 Underutilization of Kenya Railways to transport cargo and
passengers
 The collapse of the oil refineries at Changamwe
 Poor state of rural feeder roads

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

8-18
Box 8.2 Comments and Concerns raised in Nairobi County

 Traffic congestion within the City of Nairobi which is increasing

the time and cost of travelling
 Unsatisfactory traffic flow control by the traffic police and traffic
lights
 Public service vehicles (matatu) disregard for traffic laws
 Traffic accidents
 Road damages caused by overloaded trucks
 High road maintenance costs
 Time taken to transport goods is longer by Kenya Railways than
by road, making it comparatively expensive
 Underutilisation of the Kenya Railways to transport cargo and
passengers
 Interference of the SGR with Nairobi National Park
 Lack of lanes for use by cyclists and hand carts on city roads
 Lack of road signage in some areas within Nairobi
 Congestion of trucks at the weighbridge at Mlolongo
 Corruption at the weighbridge at Mlolongo
 Overloading by trucks
 Failure by some trucks to use the Northern and Southern by-
passes

Box 8.3 Comments and Concerns raised in Nakuru County

 Traffic congestion within the CBD

 Time taken to transport goods is longer by Kenya Railways than
by road, making it comparatively expensive
 Congestion caused by trucks at the vehicle inspection near Gilgil
 Congestion caused by trucks at Salaga town
 Increase in number of traffic accidents
 Poor state of rural feeder roads

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

8-19
Box 8.4 Comments and Concerns raised in Kisumu County

 Underutilisation of the port of Kisumu and other smaller ports

along Lake Victoria
 Traffic congestion within the CBD
 Time taken to transport goods is longer by Kenya Railways than
by road hence making the railway transport more expensive
 Underutilisation of Kenya Railway to transport cargo and
passengers. The Butere line is currently out of use
 Poor state of rural feeder roads
 Underutilisation of Mombasa International Airport in handling
cargo

Box 8.5 Comments and Concerns raised in Busia County

 Traffic congestion at Malaba and Busia border points

 Most of Malaba Town sits on privately owned land
 Long clearing time of trucks crossing in and out of Kenya
 Poor state of rural feeder roads
 Loss of revenue to the County government if the cargo handled
by the trucks is moved to the railway and pipeline
 Decline of businesses that directly and indirectly depend on
trucks
 Increase of unemployment in the towns if the shift of cargo from
trucks to the railways and pipeline is actualised

8.5.2 Cross-Cutting Issues

The following is a summary of issues and comments raised throughout

the engagement process:

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

8-20
Table 8.7 Summary of Cross Cutting Engagement Raised During the SEA

Main Issue Specific Concern

Road Furniture  Speed bumps which are meant to reduce road accidents but end up reducing travelling
time and causing traffic congestion along the roads
 Vandalism of road furniture and road signage along the highways
 Absence of climbing lanes in certain deserving parts of the roads
Health and Safety  Road safety awareness creation should be incorporated into the Master Plan
 The SEA should consider issues along the corridor such as communicable diseases,
health, crime, social interests that will come about due to developments from the NEC
Alignment with other PPPs  Whether PPPs developed by different government institutions in the country, would
conflict or contradict with NEC Master Plan.
 Need for the harmonization of the Master Plan with existing other national and county
government PPP
Land Acquisition and  High cost of acquiring land for infrastructure development
Resettlement  Tendency for land speculation, especially when government plans to undertake major
infrastructural developments are known. This makes project costs unnecessarily high.
 Whether the Plan would develop a Land Bank
Economic Issues  The cost of transporting goods and people is generally high for ordinary Kenyans
 Stakeholders were concerned that the development of transport logistics infrastructure
would increase the cost of doing business in Kenya.
 An increase in the volume of internal cargo to be handled by the transport infrastructure
depends largely on how the economy performs (especially within the agricultural,
industrial and mining sectors). Stakeholders expressed reservations on how MoTI will
ensure that the Master Plan implementation is not frustrated by slow/no growth in these
vital sectors of the economy.
 How the Master Plan would deal with the problem of insufficient cargo to sustain the
infrastructure in order to avoid the situation Kenya Railways, Kisumu International
Airport and Kisumu Port are currently experiencing.
 The cost to Kenyans of implementing the Master Plan

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

8-21
Main Issue Specific Concern
Challenges in the County  The controversy resulting from the recent re-classification of rural roads (Class D and
below) under Kenya Rural Roads Authority and County - Counties expressed concern
that it was a move to deny them development funds to develop roads under their
jurisdiction.
Corruption  Corruption by some elements in law enforcing agencies i.e. traffic police, customs, KRA
and KPA
 Corruption in project procurement and implementation making infrastructure projects
unnecessarily expensive.
Political Will  There are many sound development plans have been developed since independence.
Most of them have not been implemented but remain on shelves. Stakeholders wanted to
know what will do differently so that the Master Plan is implemented intended in terms
of projects, time and cost.
 Implementation of large projects like the ones envisaged by the Master Plan would
require strong committed political will at National and County Governments.
Stakeholders expressed reservations about the existence of that kind of political will, at
least presently.
Disease Transmission  Prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV especially at the stop-over points for
trucks along the Mombasa-Busia/Malaba highway
Vulnerable Groups  Physically challenged people experience difficulty in using some of the transport
infrastructure already developed. New projects should be weary of the existence of
physically challenged people in the country.
Unemployment  Moving of cargo from the road to the railway and pipeline may lead to loss of jobs in the
truck transportation businesses and truck-dependent business especially along highways
and border posts.
Insecurity  Considering the increase in number of terrorist and banditry activities in the country in
the recent past, the Master Plan should consider the security of cargo and people who will
be using the transport logistics infrastructure.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

8-22
Main Issue Specific Concern
Legal Framework  It was observed that although Kenya Railways has the mandate for managing inland
water ways and ports, it does not have the capacity to do and to develop new ports. Many
previous piers on Lake Victoria are vandalized and the only existing Kisumu port is
underutilized. Since Kenya Ports Authority has the capacity and experience to manage
marine ports, the law should be amended to give it additional mandate of manage and
develop inland water ways and ports.
Feasibility Studies  Stakeholders raised the concern of developing huge infrastructure projects without
undertaking comprehensive feasibility studies. If that had been done, Uganda would
have not chosen the southern against the northern route to develop a petroleum pipeline
from Hoima to sea or Rwanda preferring to develop a railway link with Tanzania
Railway rather than the Kenya-Uganda Standard Gauge Railway.
Litigation  Development projects having a tendency of delaying implementation through long and
winding litigations. This does delays project implementation and increases the project
cost.
Gender  That gender issues should be integrated into the Master Plan

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

8-23
8.6 SEA VALIDATION

8.6.1 Submission of Draft SEA Report and Advertisements in the Media

The Draft Report was submitted to NEMA on 28th October 2016 (See
Annex A3 for the submission acknowledgement). Thereafter,
advertisements were placed in the media (see Annex E6 for copies of the
Daily Nation and the Kenya Gazette adverts) calling for the public to
submit their comments (see Annex E7 for the comments received on the
Draft NEC SEA Report from Stakeholders).

The Draft SEA Report was made available for inspection at the Ministry
of Environmental and Natural Resources and NEMA offices. The
Report was also made available for download at:

 The NEMA website www.nema.go.ke (SEA/043), and

 The MoTI website: http://www.transport.go.ke/Projects.html .

8.6.2 Validation Workshop

The validation workshop was thereafter held on Tuesday 24th January

2017, where the Draft Report was presented to Stakeholders (see Annex
E2 and Annex E3 for the minutes and photos of the validation meeting).
Table 8.8 provides a summary of the comments received on the Draft
SEA Report..

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

8-24
Table 8.8 Summary of Comments Raised on the Draft SEA Report

Theme Issue Response

Biophysical  Consultants to update their information on  Information on vultures had already been provided in Section 5.4.2 of
issues biodiversity the Draft SEA Report wherein the species of vulture likely to be found
 Four species of vulture now considered critically in the NEC are identified
endangered on a global scale were not included  IBAs were already included in Section 5.4.4 of the Draft SEA Report
in the Draft SEA Report under IBAs and EBAs.
 Provided a list of IBAs in the NEC and their
threatened species
 The classification of the Negative Impact on air  The impact of air pollution on biophysical features is classed as
pollution as “moderate” is not true, since we do moderate based on available information. Each project within the
not have sufficient data NEC Master Plan should monitor emissions since this will support the
development of baseline data on air quality to address the observed
information gaps.
Climate change  No information on the environmental and  These have been added in Sections 5.3, 9.6, 9.10.2 and 9.12 of the Final
climate change impacts associated with the SEA Report
Mombasa Coal Power and Mariakani sub-station  Cumulative impacts of the Master Plan’s potential contribution to
project global warming and climate change is already classed as severe.
Comparison of  No examination of alternatives to the inclusion  Chapter 7 (Alternative Policy, Options and Strategies) examines
Alternatives of the Mombasa coal fired power plant in the alternatives to the Master Plan at a strategic level. Scenario analysis is
NEC MP as opposed to individual projects that used to present alternative futures of the Multi-Core with Regional
would generate the same quantity of power but Industrial Development Type, i.e., the preferred alternative and the
from renewable energy sources focus of the SEA Study
 Chapter 11 (ESMF) outlines requirements for detailed ESIA to be
carried on projects developed under the NEC Master Plan. These
project-level ESIA's will examine alternatives to NEC projects
including the Mombasa coal fired power plant.
Stakeholder  Wider consultations within the stakeholders  As the coverage area of the Master Plan is so extensive, the interests of
Engagement involved with the leather industry e.g., the Athi many stakeholders can only be represented by umbrella bodies rather
River Ecosystem and downstream communities than specific organizations. The leather industry and Athi River
ecosystem communities were represented by the Ministry of
Industrialization and Enterprise Development and NGOs respectively.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

8-25
Theme Issue Response
 The National Land Commission (NLC) should  NLC was identified as important stakeholder (see Annex E1,
be included as a key institution to implement the Stakeholder Database) as well as an Institution involved in the
SEA implementation of the ESMF (Chapter 11).
 Was Kenya National Human Rights  KNHCR was identified as important stakeholder (see Annex E1,
Commission (KNHCR) mapped in considering Stakeholder Database) as well as an Institution involved in the
socio economic factors implementation of the ESMF (Chapter 11).
 How are all the communities supposed to  The SEA engaged in high level consultations, which were meant to be
benefit from the NEC MP? cascaded downwards. The process was a top-bottom engagement as
opposed to bottom –top engagement
 Communities will benefit at the project-level
Contents of the  Concerned that this is not really a SEA but more  These concerns have already been addressed in the Draft SEA Report
SEA Report a ‘big’ EIA but done at such a general level that with are tied to any of the specific elements of the Master Plan
the information used is very non-specific, and (Chapters 9, 10 and 11).
none of the recommendations indicated are tied  The ESMF (Chapter 11) provides a strategic framework that links or
to any of the specific elements of the Master Plan limits these projects or the EIAs related to them
 While (the SEA) does recommend that each of  The SEA team will have a workshop with JST/MoTI on how the
the 119 component projects has an EIA done for ESMF will work going forward
it, it does not provide anything of a strategic
framework that links or limits these projects or
the EIAs related to them
 Would have thought more strategic and
integrative issues would have been indicated,
such as the issue of the key alternatives for a
major controversial feature
Impact  For the soil protected areas, mitigation is given  The term necessary is based on the engineering specifications of each
Assessment and as “Limiting excavation in necessary areas” infrastructure project. This is because land/excavation requirements
Mitigation Define the term “Necessary and construction methods vary by project type and through
optimizations in the latter the former can be limited. Thus, it is the
principle of limiting excavation based on those engineering
specifications that is being suggested.
 How are the unseen loses of the social cultural  This was addressed in Section 10.6.1 (Loss of Cultural Heritage) of the
loses captured in the SEA Draft SEA Report

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

8-26
Theme Issue Response
Land use  Land use plans are currently not in place, this  Section 6.9.1 (Land Use) of the Draft SEA Report already addressed
should be covered in the Report this issue.
 Section 4.8.2 (Social Baseline Gaps and Uncertainties) of the Draft SEA
Report also identified lack of land use shapefiles/plans and the
resulting use of shapefiles (data) from KWS.
 How is the issue of subdivision handled in the  Section 6.9.1 (Land Use) of the Final Report lists land sub-division as
SEA one of the factors that leads to high land values. Subdivision of land in
most cases is as a result of land speculation which results to high land
values.
 Stating that urbanisation and land tenure are  Urbanisation refers to the opening up of virgin land, or the
negative impacts is wrong. You should instead development of rural areas into new towns, or smaller areas of
refer to urban sprawl (instead of urbanisation) concentrated developments for industrial estates with some
and security of land tenure (instead of just land commercial space and institutional space and supported by relevant
tenure) public services, facilities and infrastructure (Huat, 2016).
 Urban Growth refers to the extension of certain parts or the expansion
of the central core areas or fringe centres of small or large existing
urbanized areas. The degree of change is incremental and sprawling
(Huat, 2016).
 Provision of all the relevant public services is key in the differentiation
of urbanization and urban growth. Along NEC the urban centres that
will emerge will attract public services and urbanisation is the correct
term to use
 Different land tenure system (discussed in Section 6.9.1) will affect the
process of land acquisition and not insecurity of land tenure system.
Land  What is the role of SEA and RAP in Land  The role of SEA is to smoothen the implementation of the Master Plan.
Acquisition and Acquisition, have we proposed acquisition of the RAPs will be undertaken on a project by project level.
Resettlement Right of Way through creation of Land Banks  During Scoping Engagement workshop in Nairobi, the Survey of
Kenya observed that most infrastructural projects were costly due to
increasing cost of land. It was recommended that the Government
should establish a land bank for future infrastructural projects.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

8-27
 9 KEY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION STRATEGIES

9.1 INTRODUCTION

In this Chapter the potential environmental impacts of the NEC Master

Plan are predicted and assessed, and mitigation strategies are proposed.
This prediction and assessment is focused on the Multi-Core with
Regional Industrial Development Type Master Plan Alternative. Insights
and feedback received from stakeholders during the preparation of this
Study also inform this impact assessment process.

This chapter addresses two items, namely:

 Environmental Impacts, and
 Cumulative Environmental Impacts.

9.2 NEC MASTER PLAN

As discussed in Chapter 2 of this Report, the development vision for the

NEC is to be the leading economic corridor with integrated transport
and logistics systems in Africa. The Master Plan therefore aims at
balanced growth and efficient logistics in the NEC region by promoting
urban functions of 18 Secondary Cites, including 6 Secondary cum
Regional Production Centres (see Figure 9.1 and Table 9.1 below), which
also cascade into specific sectoral infrastructure projects (Table 9.2).

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-1
Figure 9.1 The NEC Master Plan

Source: JICA, 2016

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-2
Table 9.1 Location of Flagship NEC Projects in Kenya and Uganda

No. Sector Project Title

1 Mining Eldoret-Kampala-Kigali Oil Pipeline Project

2 Mining ICT Project in Northern Corridor

3 Road Logistics Highway Project

4 Logistics Logistic Hub Project

Northern Corridor Integration Backbone (Power Generation, Transmission and

5 Power
Interconnectivity)

6 Road Eldoret-Juba Highway Project

7 Port Mombasa Port Development Project

Urban
8 Project for Support of Re-organizing Logistics Facilities around Mombasa Port Area
Development

9 Water Stony Athi Dam and Upper Athi Dam Project

10 Water Mwache Dam Project

11 Power Isinya-Nairobi East Transmission Line Project

12 Industry Geothermal Energy Based Regional Industrial Development in Rift Valley

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-3
13 Power Geothermal Project in Rift Valley

14 Power Mombasa Coal Power and Mariakani Substation Project

15 Power Dongo Kundu-Mariakani Transmission Project

16 Industry Mombasa Special Economic Zone Project

Project for Building Up Competitiveness of Construction Materials and Machinery Industry

17 Industry
in Kenya

18 Agriculture Agricultural Financing Improvement Project in Nairobi

19 Agriculture Value Chain of Agriculture Development Pilot Project in Kenya

Urban
20 Logistics Based Kisumu-Kakamega Metropolitan Area Development Project
Development

21 Mining Study on Mining Master Plan in Uganda

Project for Building Up Competitiveness of Construction Materials and Machinery Industry

22 Industry
in Uganda

23 Agriculture Value Chain of Agriculture Development Pilot Project in Uganda

24 Power Kampala-North-Namungona-Mutundwe 132 kV Transmission Line Refurbishment

Urban
25 Great Kampala (including Jinja) Logistic Based Urban Development Project
Development

Urban
26 Study on master Plan for Urban Transport Development for Regional cities
Development

27 Industry SEZ Development Project in Kampala

Source: JST, 2016

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-4
Table 9.2 NEC MP Sectoral Distribution of Infrastructure Projects

Sector Number of Projects

Road 12
Railway 10
Border Post 7
Marine Port 5
Airport 1
Inland Waterway/Port 1
Logistics Hub 3
Oil and Mining 3
Agriculture and Fishery 9
Manufacture 3
Power 3
Water 9
Source: JST, 2016

The NEC Master Plan will ultimately result in the development of a

multitude of projects. The potential impacts of these projects are
predicted and assessed at a strategic level on the receptive baseline and
its constraints discussed in Chapter 5 (Environmental Baseline) and
Chapter 6 (Socio-Economic Baseline).

9.3 IMPACT PREDICTION

The impact prediction process entails grouping issues associated with

the different sectoral projects being developed. These issues are
identified through an iterative process. In order to achieve this,
prediction matrices have been used. This process is also informed by:

 Good International Industry Practice Guidelines (GIIPs),

 research,
 environmental and social risks of similar projects and plans, and
 Stakeholder engagement.

9.4 SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

Table 9.3 below provides a summary of the environmental impacts that

may occur as a result of the Master Plan.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-5
Table 9.3 Environmental Impact Identification Matrix

Impacts and Risks1

Habitat Pollution Risk Natural
Alteration Air Landscape Soil Hydrological Solid Liqui Hazardou Resource H&S
(Biodiversit Emission Modification Alteratio Modification Wast d s s Risk
Sector y Impacts) s s n s e Waste Materials Demand s
Road X X X X X X X X X X
Railway X X X X X X X X X X
Border Post X X X X X X X X X X
Port X X X X X X X X X
Airport X X X X X X X X X X
Inland X X X X X X X X X
Waterway/Por
t
Logistic Hub X X X X X X X X X X
Oil and Mining X X X X X X X X X X
Agriculture X X X X X X X X X X
and Fisheries
Manufacture X X X X X X X X X
Power X X X X X X X X X
Water X X X X X X X X X

1 ‘X’ denotes impact.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-6
 9.5 HABITAT ALTERATION AND BIODIVERSITY IMPACTS

9.5.1 Summary of Applicable Constraints

Applicable constraints to Habitat Alteration and Biodiversity impacts

include:

• Protected Areas,
• Internationally Designated Areas,
• Wetlands,
• Rivers and lakes, and
• Sensitive ecosystems (Water Towers, Forests, Corals, Sandy
beaches, Mangrove forests, and Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches).

Protected areas are particularly susceptible to impacts of habitat

alteration and on biodiversity. Their location in the NEC is shown by
the map below.

Figure 9.2 Protected Areas in the NEC

9.5.2 Impact on Habitats

The implementation of physical infrastructure within the NEC will

involve:
 Conversion of land uses via the establishment, rehabilitation and
expansion of rights of way (RoW) and
 Development of projects on Greenfield sites.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-7
 Habitat alteration induced by the development of Greenfield sites for
infrastructure can potentially reduce the ecological integrity of these
habitats. This will lower the economic value obtained from both
protected and unprotected ecosystems. In addition, human activities
already place the sensitive ecosystems in the NEC under pressure.
Particular cases worth noting are Protected Areas such as Nairobi
National Park, Tsavo Conservation Area, Lake Nakuru National Park,
Lake Naivasha National Parks and Mau Forest Human activities such
as tourism, agriculture, excisions, development of infrastructure
(settlements included) and pollution place these ecosystems and others
at risk of degradation. Furthermore, the establishment of new RoWs in
these ecosystems can lead to habitat fragmentation. Figure 9.3, Figure
9.4 and Figure 9.5 illustrate the pressures from human activities in
Nairobi NP, Nakuru NP and TCA respectively. Another example is
Hells Gate NP in which exploitation of geothermal resources has
compromised the ecological integrity of the protected area and its
ecosystem services.

Promoting growth drivers such as mining and agriculture will increase

the area of land under those uses and the transportation of people and
goods will also increase during the construction and operation of the
sectoral projects.

It is anticipated that the land under the uses of settlements, agriculture

and mining in the NEC will increase in competition to others.
Inadvertently this will alter habitats (1) from their prevailing states.
Moreover, habitats that are not protected under national and
international designations, such as county managed forests, buffer
regions around protected areas and sandy beaches, will be most
vulnerable.

(1) Habitats in this context refers to marine, terrestrial and aquatic habitats that are protected/designated as well as those
that are not

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-8
Figure 9.3 Nairobi NP Neighbouring Settlements and Infrastructure

Figure 9.4 Lake Nakuru NP Neighbouring Settlements and Infrastructure

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-9
Figure 9.5 Right of Ways in Tsavo Conservation Area (Habitat Fragmentation)

9.5.3 Impacts on Fauna and Avifauna

Habitat alteration, primarily losses, can affect animal biodiversity since

floral communities and the habitats themselves support fauna by
providing nesting sites, breeding grounds and nutrition. The risk of
impacts on fauna is increased by the fact that there are 166 globally
threatened species supported by the ecosystems in the NEC, and to
which habitat loss is amongst the factors that already places them under
threat. Fauna can be affected as follows:

Firstly, faunal species will be affected negatively when their habitats are
converted during the establishment of infrastructure. This will be the
case when Greenfield sites are converted. Deforestation can also
happen when forested or vegetated areas are cleared for development.
Apart from loss of carbon stock, the effective habitat for faunal species
will be reduced from deforestation. Stakeholders in Mombasa informed
this study that due to dredging which causes beach erosion, sea turtles
have migrated away from Kenyan beaches to as far as Somalia. The
aquatic environment will also be susceptible to changes since
infrastructure such as the pipeline, roads and rail will establish river
crossings whose development will alter characteristics of each receptive
riverine and riparian ecosystem. Aquatic and riparian ecosystems are
rich in diversity and ecosystem services. Thus they are protected by the

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-10
 Water Act, WCMA and EMCA. It is for this reason that this SEA study
has classified them as constraints.

Secondly, the increase in transportation (rail, road, water and air) can
disrupt migration and breeding of faunal species (behaviour). This
increase in movement can lead to mortality when collisions with
animals occur. Additionally, transmission lines can also lead to
avifauna fatalities through electrocution. In totality, these accidents and
establishment of infrastructure components in proximity or within the
natural habitats (species ranges) of wild fauna can increase human-
wildlife conflict. Introduced noise generated by vehicles, crafts,
machinery, equipment and civil processes can also become a
disturbance to fauna and affect their behaviour (1).

9.5.4 Summary of Impact on Habitats, Fauna and Avifauna

The impact of the NEC MP on habitats and biodiversity is amongst the

concerns of stakeholders. Kenya’s economy greatly depends on natural
resources (tourism, agriculture and mining amongst others) which in
some cases are not managed sustainably. Thus, without adequate
management plans the NEC MP has the potential of increasing the
pressures and threats on the sensitive ecosystems and biodiversity in
the NEC. These potential impacts will be against the conservation
strategies and objectives proposed by Vision 2030, EMCA, WCMA,
KWS’s species conservation strategies and ecosystem management
plans.

9.5.5 Transboundary Resources, Activities and Invasive Species

The entire NEC is a transboundary area which intersects several

resources of a similar nature such as: Tsavo-Mkomazi ecosystem, Mt
Elgon ecosystem, Sio-Siteko wetland, the Indian Ocean, Lake Victoria
catchment and the Indian Ocean. Impacts on biodiversity and habitats
have a transboundary context wherein the linked resources are
managed under different regimes in the countries involved. Particular
transboundary resources of concern are identified as constraints in
Chapter 5 of this Report.

As the implementation of the NEC Master Plan increases trade in East

Africa, and therein movement of goods and people across borders, this
creates a risk of more invasive species being imported into, or exported
from Kenya intentionally or unintentionally. Apart from self-
proliferation, some commonly known modes through which invasive

(1) Radle A., (2007). The Effect of Noise on Wildlife: A Literature Review.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-11
 species can enter the country via the NEC MP include the transport of
bulk agricultural produce and other goods; vehicles, crafts and vessels;
and ballast water.

Cumulatively, with the impacts of other projects and without proper

natural resource management, the potential direct negative impacts of
the NEC MP have the potential of contributing to land and habitat
degradation and climate change. These two cumulative impacts are
known to have the potential of leading to the proliferation of invasive
species. This is since they can create harsh conditions only which
invasive species can thrive in, since they are usually more resilient than
indigenous species. This study finds that there are already 61 invasive
species in Kenya which have negative economic effects and thus
proliferation preceptors already exist. Invasive species are amongst the
concerns raised by stakeholders from the consultation process.

9.5.6 Mitigation Strategies

The following mitigation strategies can be implemented against the

potential risks on habitats and biodiversity:

• Avoiding PAs,
• Aligning new infrastructure with existing RoWs or defined
corridors,
• Limiting the size of construction RoWs where possible, and
• Complying with existing land use and PA management plans
and supporting their development and implementation where
none have been gazetted.

9.6 AIR EMISSIONS

9.6.1 Summary of Applicable Constraints

Applicable constraints to air emissions include:

• Protected Areas
• Internationally Designated Areas,
• Sensitive ecosystems,
• Biodiversity (flora and fauna),
• Rivers, lakes and wetlands,
• Agricultural areas,
• Settlements, and
• Existing infrastructure.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-12
 9.6.2 Air Pollutants

The NEC Counties face the challenge of managing emissions of air

pollutants even though Kenya has still not fully implemented its
recently gazetted Air Quality Regulations nor developed a
comprehensive national baseline on air quality. Studies however,
estimated that the Country produced at least 59.1 Tons of emissions in
2010. The implementation of the NEC Master Plan is anticipated to
increase these emissions in all phases of its projects. The direct potential
sources of these increased emissions are indicated in Table 9.4 below.

Table 9.4 Potential Air Emissions from the NEC MP

Activity/Source/Facili CO O P SO NO VOC CF PM NH
ty X 3 b X X s C X 3
Civil construction X X X
activities
Land conversion and X X
excavation
Exhaust generated X X X X X X X X
from the use of fossil
fuel engines in
vehicles, crafts and
generators
Friction between tyres X
and road surfaces
Industrial and X X X X X X X X
manufacturing
processes
Agricultural processes X X X
Storage and transport X X
of hydrocarbons, coal
and agricultural
products
Use of refrigeration X
systems
Waste disposal X X X X X X
Coal Power Project X X X X X
Sources: EEA, (2016), IFC (2007).

The benefits of implementing the NEC MP will promote development

in different sectors of the economy. This will however result in an
increase in the magnitude of activities in each sector in addition to
population growth. This would in turn lead to more emissions
generated by each sector and through the support and domicile
activities of the increased population. Moreover, more air pollutants

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-13
will be emitted since this population will require energy, of which in
Kenya 68% is sourced from biomass and 21% from petroleum (1).
Exacerbation of microclimate modifications such as urban heat islands
and lowering of air quality can then occur particularly in the economic
centres and industrial zones.

Air pollutants have different impacts on humans and the environment

depending on their concentrations and exposure. Each pollutant has its
own lethal dose and dose response limits. On humans, low doses albeit
pollutant dependent, exposure to air pollutants can cause irritation of
the eyes, nose, and throat, and wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and
breathing difficulties. Moderate effects include worsening of existing
lung and heart problems, such as asthma, and increased risk of heart
attack. Long-term exposure and high doses can cause cancer and
damage to the immune, neurological, reproductive, respiratory systems
and death (2).

This SEA Study predicts that without adequate mitigation, at the

project level and cumulatively, there is potential of air pollutants such
as O3, NO2, PMX and SO2 being released beyond WHO’s guidelines (3).
National studies have pointed out that industrial and urban centres
generally have poorer air quality against the WHO guidelines as
compared to rural and some background areas. Air pollution is
attributed to be a contributing factor to the prevalence of respiratory
infections and complications in Kenya as a cause of morbidity and
mortality.

Environmentally, the transport and disposition of air pollutants can

have the following effects:

 Acid Rain: This is caused by the chemical reactions of NOX and

SOX with water during precipitation or in the atmosphere. It
either falls as wet or dry precipitation with a pH of about 4.3. It
damages flora, and acidifies soils and water bodies in turn
affecting fauna. Acid rain also corrodes infrastructure shortening
their lifespan or increasing maintenance costs. This is evident in
Webuye in the NEC whereas acid rain can also damage cultural
heritage sites (4),

(1) Institute of Economic Affairs, (2015). Situational Analysis of Energy Industry, Policy and Strategy for Kenya
(2) Department of Environmental Protection, (n.d). Health and Environmental Effects of Air Pollution
(3) WHO, (2005). WHO Air quality guidelines for particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide. Global
update 2005.
(4) EPA, (2016). Effects of Acid Rain

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-14
  Haze and Smog: Haze is formed when small particles in the air
(PMX and smoke) are exposed to sunlight. It can also be caused
when NOX and SOX form particles that are transported by wind.
Smog is a yellowish fog consisting of fine particles and ozone.
These fine particles are often produced from the chemical
reactions that produce SO2 and NOX. Ozone in the lower
atmosphere is typically a product of the reaction of NOX and
VOCs. Smog and haze are observable indicators of poor air
quality or presence of pollutants. In addition to lowering
visibility, the ozone in smog is linked to health effects ranging
from minor aches to deadly pulmonary diseases (1). They mostly
occur in urban areas such as Nairobi, Nakuru and Mombasa due
to the higher concentrations of industries and motor vehicles (2),

 Eutrophication: Whilst this naturally occurs with the aging of

lakes and estuaries, NOX emissions can accelerate the rate at
which it occurs. This is because they increase the effective
amount of nutrients in the water bodies including oceans.
Eutrophication stimulates blooms of algae which can kill fish
and lead to losses of aquatic biodiversity, (3)

 Impacts on Fauna and Flora: Air pollutants are similarly as toxic

to fauna when exposed as they are to humans, when the
pollutants are deposited on land, flora or water. Studies have
shown that air pollution can cause death, debilitating industrial-
related injury and disease, stress related physiological changes
and population declines (4). Persistent pollutants in the aquatic
environment can bio-accumulate up the food chain. On flora,
pollutants such as ozone affect membrane function, leading to
reduction in photosynthesis, slower growth, and in severe cases
death (5). Acid rain can also damage flora through corrosion as
mentioned above. Effects on flora would not only directly affect
fauna but also livelihoods through agriculture and forestry.

 Ozone depletion: This is caused by CFCs and halons which,

among others, are generally known as ozone depleting

(1) EPA, (1999). Smog—Who Does It Hurt?

(2) Gouvernement du Québec, (2007). Formation and Origin of Smog. Info-Smog
(3) Huijbregts M., (1999). Life Cycle Impact Assessment of Acidifying and Eutrophying Air Pollutants, Barret K. and Eerens
H., (2008). Air Pollution and the Eutrophication and Acidification of European Seas. Discussion Paper. ETC/ACC Technical
Paper 2008/17
(4) Newman, J., (1980). Effects of Air Emissions on Wildlife Resources. US Fish and Wildlife Service, Biological Services
Program, National Power Plant Team: FWSJOBS-80/40.1.
(5) Lovett M. et al., (2009). Effects of Air Pollution on Ecosystems and Biological Diversity in the
Eastern United States. The Year in Ecology and Conservation Biology, 2009: Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 1162: 99–135 (2009).

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-15
 substances. The depletion of ozone results in more UV radiation
reaching the earth’s surface. This in turn can increase skin
cancers, cause cataracts and lower human immunity to diseases.

9.6.3 Greenhouse Gases

Amongst the potential emissions anticipated from the implementation

of the NEC Master Plan are greenhouse gases (GHG), specifically CO2,
N2O, CH4 and Fluorinated Hydrocarbons (HFs). GHG will be primarily
emitted from:
 land conversion processes,
 wastes,
 combustion of fossil fuels, and
 bio-agricultural processes.

Land conversion and increase of industrial activity in water bodies can

reduce the effective carbon sinks in the NEC. This will be a negative
reinforcement which can compromise commitments on reducing
Kenya’s emissions proposed by, and agreed in the National Climate
Change Response Strategy (NCCRS), United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Conference of the
Parties (COP) 21 (2015); and enshrined in Article 42 of the Kenyan
Constitution. The anticipated population growth associated with the
NEC Master Plan will also contribute to this. This is because this
population will require more land, materials, energy and services,
which are currently mostly not provided through low carbon modes.

According to Kenya’s 2nd National Communication to the UNFCCC, the

Country’s total emissions in 2000 were 55 MTCO2eq. These were shared
amongst economic sectors as follows:

 energy (17.8%),
 industries (1.5%),
 agriculture (41.0%),
 land use,
 land use change and forestry (37.6%), and
 waste (2.2%)1.

This SEA Study anticipates that, even though Kenya is a low emitter of
GHGs, total emissions will increase on implementation of the NEC
Master Plan. In a ‘business as usual (BAU)’ scenario and without
adequate mitigation, this increase of emissions will drive the Country
closer towards its projected emissions of 143 MTCO2eq by 2030. This

1NEMA, (2015). Kenya Second National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-16
 will be in conjunction with other projects and activities that are outside
the scope of the NEC MP but can compromise the realization of the
country’s commitments on emission reduction. These commitments
were set in 2015 to capping CO2 emissions by 100 MTCO2eq per year by
2030 to the baseline emission level in 2010 of 73 MTCO2eq (1).

9.6.4 Mitigation Strategies

Mitigation strategies that can be employed to manage the risks of air

emissions include:

• Selecting clean energy options,

• Promoting the use of clean energy sources,
• Complying with the Air Quality Regulations (2014) and emission
standards as provided in KS 1515,
• Implementing energy efficiency measures across the different
projects,
• Using Combined Heat and Power systems for the coal power
plant and high energy conversion technology in line with
industry standards and guidelines2,
• Supporting the implementation of the National Climate Change
Action Plan and integrating its recommendations in the NEC
MP,
• Using cleaner energy sources and promoting their use,
• Limiting land conversion to only necessary areas (3) , and
• Managing wastes according to regulations in addition to
employing the 3Rs to ensure they are managed sustainably.

9.7 LANDSCAPE MODIFICATIONS

9.7.1 Summary of Applicable Constraints

The following are the constraints which will be susceptible to landscape

modifications:

• Nationally Protected Areas,

• Internationally Designated Areas,
• Settlements,
• Recreational areas, and
• Cultural heritage sites.

(1) Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, (2015). Kenya’s Intended Nationally Determined
Contribution (INDC).
2 Such standards and guidelines include the IFC EHS Guidelines for the Thermal Power Plants (2007).

(3) The term ‘necessary’ is based on the engineering specifications of each infrastructure project. Each type
of infrastructure project has unique land/excavation requirements and construction methods. Through
optimization of the construction methods the land/excavation requirements can be limited to minimize this
potential impact.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-17
9.7.2 Landscape Modification

Greenfield projects of the NEC Master Plan will cause direct

modifications of terrestrial landscapes. As discussed in Section 9.5, these
projects will involve the development of new facilities and settlements,
establishment of RoWs and land conversion.

There will also be changes in brownfield sites, for example the

expansion and development of new facilities such as: Dualling of the
Mariakani-Mombasa Road; Nairobi-Nakuru Logistics Highway Project;
Mariakani-Voi Logistics Highway Project; Standard Gauge Railway and
OSBPs amongst others, as well as to the maritime environment
including: container berths No.20, 21, 22 (Reitz), No.4 (Lighter Area)
and Bulk Cargo (Mbaraki) and Container berth No.19 all at Mombasa,
and Rehabilitation of 3 to 6 ports at Lake Victoria.

These changes in landscape (visual impacts) will also entail changes in

activities (character) presently carried out in the target areas of these
projects. This includes generation of noise. Such changes include
expansion or intensification of agriculture, generation of wastes during
construction, increased transportation through vehicles, vessels and
crafts ferrying people, materials and equipment, as well as general
increases in human activities. Apart from the direct infrastructure
projects, the secondary cities are amongst the primary areas where this
impact is anticipated.

Landscape modifications are also expected in areas where construction

materials will be sourced, such as quarries and forests. Combined with
changes at project target areas, these modifications and activities will
distinctively alter the social character of the affected areas.

Landscape modifications have varying interconnected social and

environmental effects which are not always benign. Potential impacts
on ecosystems are covered in Section 9.5.

Lastly, changes in landscape can lead to loss of serene ecosystems or the

serenity of ecosystems. Such ecosystems are those identified to be
Category A constraints by this study (See Figure 9.2). A reduction in the
option and or existence value of such ecosystems would then result.
Industries such as tourism and recreation activities can be
compromised by these changes since they hedge on natural
environments as attractions. Some of these attractions in the NEC
include amongst others: Kakamega Forest Reserve (FR) which is
Kenya’s only tropical rainforest; Mt Elgon ecosystem which is

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-18
 transboundary, a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve and an Alliance
for Zero Extinction site; Nairobi National Park (NP) which is an IBA
and Kenya’s most visited NP; and the Great Rift Valley Lakes which
feature Ramsar Site, IBAs and World Heritage Sites (WHS).

9.7.3 Mitigation Strategies

Mitigation strategies that can lower the magnitude or avoid this impact
include:

• Locating infrastructure with existing land use plans,

• Complying with ecosystem management plans of protected
areas,
• Implementing noise control and minimization measures for each
project,
• Implementing noise control and minimization measures for each
project,
• Limiting the size of construction RoWs, and
• Avoiding protected areas and settlements.

9.8 IMPACTS ON SOILS

9.8.1 Summary of Applicable Constraints

The constraints which are vulnerable to impacts on soils include:

• Settlements,
• Protected Areas,
• Internationally Designated Areas,
• River, lakes and wetlands,
• Agricultural areas, and
• Areas with a high Soil Erosion Potential (SEP).

There are two methods through which the implementation of the NEC
Master Plan can alter soil characteristics, as presented in the Sections
below:

9.8.2 Soil Erosion

Soil erosion has a high potential of occurring in the 42% of the land
mass comprising the NEC which has a high Soil Erosion Potential
(SEP). Developing infrastructure, increasing crop agriculture or mining
activities has the potential to result in soil erosion, as follows:

 Land clearing and excavation for the development of physical

infrastructure such as roads, railways, dams and buildings. This

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-19
 construction will also involve increased movement of vehicles
and people resulting in the loss of topsoil;

 Increasing crop agriculture will involve disturbances to topsoil

layers during tilling, planting and harvesting leading to erosion
and loss of soil carbon. The use of irrigation to promote
agricultural production without adequate soil conservation
measures can also result in erosion;

 Sourcing of construction materials through extractive and

destructive means can result in increased SEP in the source areas.
This commonly occurs in Kenya due to the demand for building
materials and the Master Plan projects are anticipated to increase
this demand; and

 Land conversion for Greenfield projects will increase the total

area in the NEC under infrastructure and settlements. This will
result in increased run-off from those areas since less water will
be able to percolate underground. The excess run-off will in turn
erode more soil.

9.8.3 Altering Soil Physical, Chemical and Biological Characteristics

This can occur due to the following:

 Contamination by solid and liquid wastes;

 Acid rain from air pollution;

 Civil processes such as compaction;

 Extraction of groundwater; and

 Use of fertilizer and inundation by water (dams and irrigation).

Amongst the potential effects of altering soil and land characteristics

will be increasing the SEP of affected areas. Primarily, this will be by
the removal of vegetation and increasing susceptibility by the creation
of pilings during construction as well as increased run-off. Increased
erosion can also affect other infrastructure systems such as drains in
urban areas which can become clogged with the eroded/transported
material. Sedimentation and turbidity can also be increased with this
material when transported into water bodies.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-20
 Soil alteration can lead to loss of soil nutrients. These nutrients can be
lost through eroded topsoil thereby reducing the eventual land
potential for agriculture, which is Kenya’s main economic activity, and
lowering the ecological productivity of affected ecosystems.
Furthermore, inundation and deposition of pollutants can contribute to
nutrient loss via replacement through ion exchange reactions.
Deposition of pollutants can also lead to land contamination.

9.8.4 Summary

Ultimately, without mitigation both methods of soil alteration have the

potential of reducing land productivity or economic potential in the
regions that can be affected. This is already recognized as a national
problem and it was estimated by 2004 that at least USD 390 million or
3.8% of GDP is lost to erosion1.

9.8.5 Mitigation Strategies

The following mitigation strategies can be employed against soil

impacts:

• Limiting excavations to only necessary areas,

• Implementing soil conservation strategies in areas with high Soil
Erosion Potential,
• Complying with waste management regulations,
• Complying with regulations and guidelines on soil conservation
such as those provided by land use plan, ecosystem management
plans and those gazetted by the Agriculture and Food Authority,
and
• Implementing run-off and water management measures.

9.9 IMPACTS ON HYDROLOGY AND HYDROGEOLOGY

9.9.1 Summary of Applicable Constraints

Applicable constraints to the potential impact on hydrology and

hydrogeology include:

• Protected Areas,
• Internationally Designated Areas,
• Sensitive ecosystems,

1Cohen J., Brown T. and Shepherd D., (2004). Estimating the Environmental Costs of Soil
Erosion at Multiple Scales in Kenya Using Emergy Synthesis. Agriculture, Ecosystems and
Environment 114 (2006) 249–269. Elsevier.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-21
 • Settlements,
• River, lakes, aquifers, floodplains and wetlands,
• Physical infrastructure, and
• Agricultural areas.

The map below shows the location of the hydrological and

hydrogeological constraints amongst those mentioned above.

Figure 9.6 Hydrological and Hydrogeological Constraints

9.9.2 Overview

Kenya is classed as a water scarce Country, making water resources

vitally important to its development. On this basis the Master Plan’s
potential impacts on hydrological regimes are considered to be
significant. These potential impacts can be caused by increased water
demand, wastes, projects in the water sector and the interaction of the
physical infrastructure with the hydrological regimes at their target
areas.

Water demand and wastes are covered in Sections 9.10 and 0

respectively. This Section therefore addresses:
 water sector projects; and
 the interaction of the physical infrastructure with hydrological
regimes.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-22
 9.9.3 NEC Water Sector Projects

The NEC Master Plan’s water sector infrastructure projects are mainly
multi-purpose dams aimed at providing water to support livelihoods
and other industries. The environmental impacts of dams are
summarised in Box 9.1.

Box 9.1 Environmental Impacts of Dams

 Dams hold back sediment by increasing the retention through

their reservoirs. This prevents sediment feeding downstream in
addition to decreasing sediment loads downstream. This results
in: corrosion/erosion causing deepening of river beds
downstream, and degradation of floodplains in deltas ( ) ,
 Dams restrict the egg laying zone and migration of fish by
creating a barrier. Reproduction of migrating fish is hindered by
floods that harm egg beds while egg gravel beds can be damaged
by the excavation and coating works on stream beds
 Storage of water in reservoirs alters its physical, chemical and
biological characteristics. The discharged water consequently has
different quality as compared to inflows
 Water quality is also affected by farm run-off or effluents which
often drains back to the reservoir when they provide water for
irrigation
 Dams may increase of prevalence of water sourced illnesses
typhus, malaria, fever, malaria and cholera amongst others
 Dams results in inundation of upstream ecosystems and low
flows downstream. They also alter the thermal regimes of rivers
thereby affecting growth of freshwater organisms
 Increase in water surface area at the reservoir leads to increased
evaporation. This contributes to microclimatic modifications due
to changes in air moisture percentage, air temperature, air
movements in big scale and the changes in the region
topography caused by the stagnant, large scaled mass of water

9.9.4 Interaction of Physical Infrastructure with Hydrological Regimes

The NEC Master Plan infrastructure projects will involve land clearing
or deforestation for construction which will reduce the amount of
evapotranspiration. Consequently, this would mean less rainfall
potentially contributing to microclimatic modifications. This currently
occurs and is one of the challenges faced by Kenya’s water towers

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-23
 including those in the NEC. Other factors such as air emissions would
add to the microclimatic modifications.

Other potential modifiers of hydrological regimes are the impermeable

surfaces of the physical infrastructure that will be established by the
NEC Master Plan. These surfaces will cause less water to percolate
underground. Groundwater recharge will thus be reduced thereby
affecting groundwater availability. On the other hand, the impermeable
surfaces will increase surface run-off potentially increasing soil erosion
and flood risk. The development of these impermeable surfaces in, and
other physical alterations to, wetlands can compromise the ecosystems
services they provide such as flood retention and water purification.

Another potential modification is in the coastal region where the

establishment of foundations such as berths can increase saltwater
intrusion. One modelling study showed that this can occur because
after foundations are added, the overall seawater and fresh
groundwater interface moves landward1. In the agriculture sector,
irrigation and agricultural extension can result in:

 Degradation of irrigated lands through salinization, alkalization,

waterlogging and soil acidification2.
 Poor water quality of the irrigation water and for downstream
users in the case of rivers. Biodiversity at the project area and
downstream will be affected by this
 Groundwater depletion when wells are the water source. It can
also lead to saline intrusion in coastal areas and reduced base
flow
 Other changes to the low flow and flood regime as well as
changes to the level of the water table

The effects of these potential changes to hydrological regimes will

include negative reinforcement of soil erosion. Water availability can
also be reduced or segregated within river basins. Such changes can
become contributing factors to resource conflicts since they would affect
agricultural and ecological productivity.

9.9.5 Mitigation Strategies

Mitigation strategies that the NEC MP can implement include:

1 Ding G., Jiao J. and Zhang D., (2007). Modelling Study on the Impact of Deep Building
Foundations on the Groundwater System. Hydrol. Process. (2007). Wiley InterScience.
2 Dougherty T. and Hall W., (1995). Environmental Impact Assessment of Irrigation and

Drainage Projects. FAO. Natural Resource Management and Environment Department.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-24
 • Avoiding wetlands, water towers, groundwater conservation
areas and flood plains,
• Implementing water ingress management measures as
appropriate, and
• Controlling run-off from infrastructure and implementing
sustainable drainage systems (SUDS) which mimic or allow
natural percolation of water.

9.10 RISK OF POLLUTION

9.10.1 Summary of Applicable Constraints

The following are the applicable constraints to this risk:

• Settlements,
• Protected Areas,
• Internationally Designated Areas,
• Sensitive ecosystems,
• Rivers, lakes, aquifers and wetlands, and
• Agricultural and high productivity areas.

9.10.2 Pollution

The implementation of the NEC Master Plan will introduce and or

generate materials, such as waste, hazardous materials and chemicals.
These materials will require to be properly managed as required by the
Waste Management Regulations (2006) or they would otherwise cause
pollution. Table 9.5 below identifies the nature of these materials as risk
agents while linking them to their potential sources.

Emissions to air and emergencies such as spills are covered in Section

9.4.10.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-25
Table 9.5 NEC MP Pollution Risk Factors

Risk Agents
Source Solid Wastes Liquid Wastes Hazardous Materials
1. Construction, rehabilitation operation (use) and maintenance of transport infrastructure and related activities
1.1. Roads  Construction waste  Wastewater (black  Petrochemicals (asphalt, tar and
 Road surfacing waste and grey water) bitumen)
 Road litter  Construction  Paint (may contain lead and heavy
 Domestic and office effluents metals)
waste  Stormwater
 Waste tyres (including sediments
and sludge)
1.2. Railways  Construction waste  Stormwater  Petrochemicals and petroleum
 General solid waste  Wastewater  Cargo may include hazardous materials
(domestic and office (including  Solvents, acids, coolants and alkalis
waste (MSW)) from construction (rolling stock maintenance)
passengers and effluents, black and  PCBs may be found in old electrical
terminals grey water) equipment
 Black water from
passenger cars and
terminal lavatories
1.3. Power  Construction waste  Construction  Petrochemicals and petroleum
Transmission effluent (including mineral oils used as coolants)
Infrastructure  PCBs and SF6
 Wood preservation chemicals (Creosote,
PCP and CCA)
1.4. Logistic Hubs  Construction waste  Construction  Cargo can include hazardous materials
1.5. OSBPs  Domestic and office effluents -
waste  Wastewater (black
and grey)
 Stormwater
1.6. Inland Ports  Construction waste  Wastewater (black  Petroleum and petrochemicals

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-26
 Risk Agents
Source Solid Wastes Liquid Wastes Hazardous Materials
1.7. Marine Ports  Dredged materials and grey including  Liquid wastes with noxious properties
(Container  Domestic and office those from vessels)  Degreasing solvents
berths) waste including those  Stormwater  Cargo can include hazardous materials
from vessels  Ballast and bilge
water
 Sludge
1.8. ICDs  Construction waste  Wastewater (black  Cargo can include hazardous materials
and grey)
 Stormwater
1.9. Airport  Construction waste  Construction  Petroleum and petrochemicals
Expansion  Domestic and office effluents  Cargo can include hazardous materials
waste including those  Stormwater  Paints (may contain heavy metals) and
from aircraft  Wastewater (black solvents
and grey including
those from aircrafts)
1.10. Pipeline  Construction waste  Construction  Petroleum and petrochemicals
(including  Domestic and office effluents
telecommunicati waste  Stormwater
on and SCADA  Wastewater (black
system) and grey including
water containing oil)
 Tank sludge
1.11. Shipping  Domestic and office  Wastewater (black  Petroleum and petrochemicals
wastes including those and grey including  Cargo can include hazardous materials
from vessels (MSW) those from vessels)  PCBs, CFCs, asbestos and lead
 Ballast water containing batteries and paint, from ship
 Bilge water and tank decommissioning and maintenance
wash water activities (these may be present in old
 Sludge vessels)
 Stormwater  Antifouling paint

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-27
 Risk Agents
Source Solid Wastes Liquid Wastes Hazardous Materials
 Solvents
 Incinerator ash (presence depends on
vessel type)
2. Coal Transportation  Coal debris (solid  Wastewater -
waste) (including cleaning
water containing
coal)
3. Sourcing of  Mining wastes (spoils,  Wastewater (black  Hazardous materials vary with mining
construction materials soil and rocks) and grey) methods
and mining  Domestic and office  Mining effluents  Petroleum and petrochemicals
waste (MSW) (including acid rock  Explosive wastes
drainage, metals
leaching and
tailings)
 Stormwater
4. Agriculture and fisheries sector activities
4.1. Promotion of  Farm wastes  Farm run-off (High  Pesticides
crop and BOD) and irrigation  Herbicides
livestock effluent  Fertilizers
agriculture
4.2. Food processing  Food/crop waste  Stormwater  Petroleum and petrochemicals
hub  Construction waste  Construction
4.3. Commercial  Office and domestic effluent
crop distribution waste (MSW)  Facility effluent
facility (High BOD)
 Wastewater (black
and grey)
4.4. Irrigation  Construction waste  Irrigation effluent  Petroleum and petrochemicals
 Farm waste  Wastewater (black  Pesticides
and grey)  Herbicides

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-28
 Risk Agents
Source Solid Wastes Liquid Wastes Hazardous Materials
 Fertilizers
5. Water Sector  Process residues,  Stormwater  Treatment/process chemicals (these
Infrastructure membranes and spent  Treatment works vary with methods used)
media effluents
 Construction waste  Sludge
 General solid waste  Wastewater (black
(office and domestic and grey)
waste)
6. Coal Power Plant  Combustion by-  Stormwater  Combustion by-products can include
products (ash (fly and  Thermal discharge heavy metals (such as mercury and
bottom ash), boiler slag (cooling water) arsenic) depending on the quality of
and FGD slag)  Process wastewater coal.
 Construction waste (ash handling  Petroleum and petrochemicals
 General solid waste wastewater, system  Wastewater treatment chemicals
(office and domestic discharges
waste) (wetFGD), metal
cleaning wastewater,
cooling tower
blowdown, boiler
chemical cleaning
wastes and
backflush)
 Wastewater (black
and grey)

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-29
Kenya faces challenges in managing wastes due to (1):

 Lack of awareness and knowledge,

 Political influence and lack of good will to particularly
implement long-term waste management solutions,
 Limited availability of disposal facilities,
 Limited availability of funding,
 High poverty levels,
 Limited technical competencies, and
 Low level of technological advancement and adoption.

These factors are compounded by a growing population which seeks to

develop through consumptive modes. Perennial increases in the
amount of waste generated have been observed, contributing to the
problem of pollution. This is because wastes generated, in most cases
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), are often not always managed as
required by law or standard good practice1.

It is observed in Kenya that hazardous wastes are at times disposed

through MSW and the management of the liquid waste stream is
limited by access to the sewer reticulation networks and the capacities
of existing treatment works. Practices such as sorting and separation,
and the 3Rs (Reducing, Reusing and Recycling) are deployed selectively
as influenced by waste generators’ capacities.

On this background, the implementation of the NEC projects will

contribute to the challenges faced in managing waste by generating
additional waste. Kenya lacks a single sanitary landfill (2) and most
waste is disposed through dumpsites in towns and cities.

Therefore, without proper management the waste generated by the

NEC Master Plan will cause pollution and the effects are discussed in
Box 9.2:

(1) Source: NEMA, (2015). The National Solid Waste Management Strategy.
(2) A sanitary landfill in this case refers to one that is compliant with international standards on landfill design and
operation

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-30
Box 9.2 Effects of Pollution in Kenya:

 Lowering the quality of life through morbidity and increasing

mortality rates. This results in lost time due to the former and
lost years due to the latter.
 Contributing to land degradation in combination with poor
natural resource management. Land degradation will in turn
lower land productivity affecting economic activities such as
agriculture.
 Limiting access to resources such as water and land.
 Reducing the ecological integrity of ecosystems. This involves
compromising the economic value gained from these
ecosystems.
 Creating an opportunity cost due to remediation costs. These
resources can be used to address other development needs
instead.
 Creating service disruptions on infrastructure networks such as
drains and roads.

9.10.3 Mitigation Strategies

The following mitigation strategies can be implemented against the risk

of pollution:

• Developing complementary waste management facilities

including a sanitary landfill and a hazardous waste disposal
facility,
• Integrating Life Cycle Assessments into the project level
environmental risk management,
• Managing wastes (collection, transport and disposal) in
accordance to the provisions of the Waste Management
Regulations (2006), international standards such as those of the
IFC industry specific EHS Guidelines and providing adequate
equipment and facilities to do so, and
• Integrating the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) of waste
management in NEC MP and at the project level.

9.11 NATURAL RESOURCE DEMAND

9.11.1 Summary of Applicable Constraints

The features listed below are the applicable constraints to natural

resource demand:

• Protected Areas,

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-31
 • Internationally Designated Areas,
• Sensitive ecosystems,
• Resource extraction areas (forests, sand harvesting sites and
mines),
• Agricultural and high productivity areas, and
• Rivers, lakes, wetlands and aquifers.

9.11.2 Overview

The NEC Master Plan projects will require natural resources to be

exploited or utilised. These resources include energy, water and
materials which will be used in the construction and operation of
infrastructure and the population anticipated to grow as a result of the
projects (1). Therefore, additional demand on these resources will be
created and there is potential that the increased demand is negative as
explained in the Sections below:

9.11.3 Energy

Energy will be required to operate construction equipment, offices,

camps, homes and even in the use/operation of the infrastructure
components. For construction, the most common source of energy is
diesel, a fossil fuel whose use releases GHGs and other emissions (see
Section 9.6). Transportation on the constructed infrastructure through
crafts, vessels and vehicles will also rely on other fossil fuels. This is
demonstrated by the fact that electric cars constitute less than 1% of
vehicles in Kenya; and the rail, aviation and maritime sectors use diesel
and jet fuel primarily. Further, to sustain the population a combination
of energy sources will be used including fossil fuels and biomass.
Biomass, the most commonly used energy source in Kenya, leads to
deforestation (which result in habitat and carbon stock losses), and air
emissions (on thermal conversion) which include GHGs and PMX.
These emissions are associated with global climate change and
respiratory diseases.

The NEC Master Plan will establish fixed facilities such as at the port,
airport, food processing, distribution, logistics hubs and OSBPs. These
facilities will require electrical energy to operate and where feasible the
national grid will be used. However, it may be beyond the facility
owners’ or occupiers’ discretion to select which source of electricity
generation is used to supply the national grid. Therefore, fossil fuel
sources which are known to have negative environmental impacts will

(1) It is anticipated that the NEC Master Plan will lead to population growth through influx and promoting the economic
drivers of population growth through its positive impacts

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-32
 be used as is observed in Figure 9.7 which shows that by 2014, 31% of
Kenya’s electricity was generated from these fuels.

The NEC Master Plan’s facilities will also require backup power - due
to the intermittent nature of the supply from the national grid – which
is often provided through fossil fuel powered generators. Additionally,
some of the target areas of the NEC infrastructure have limited or no
connectivity to the national grid since by 2014 only 35% of Kenya was
connected (1). The development of infrastructure and ancillary activities
in such areas will mainly be powered by fossil fuels and biomass.

The supply of construction and other livelihood sustenance materials

will add to energy demands on top of their own demand as natural
resources. This is because the sourcing, processing and transportation
of these materials requires energy.

Figure 9.7 Annual Electric Power Generation FY 2013/14

Annual Electric Power Generation FY 2013/14

1% 1%
-1% RE: Hydro

RE: Geothermal

RE: Wind

29% RE: Cogeneration

45%
RE: Imports

FF: MSD

FF: Gas Turbines

1%
FF: HSD (Isolated Stations)
0%
23%
FF: Emergency Power Plant
0%

Source: Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, 2015 (2)

9.11.4 Water

The NEC Master Plan projects will create additional demand for water
in all the areas that they will be implemented. Water will be required

(1) Ministry of Energy and Petroleum (2015). Draft National Energy and Petroleum Policy
(2) RE = Renewable Energy, FF = Fossil Fuel, MSD = Medium Speed Diesel Generator and HSD = High Speed Diesel
Generators.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-33
 for construction of infrastructure projects, ancillary services/activities,
as well as facility maintenance and operation. Water sector
infrastructure projects, multi-purpose dams, will also create shifts water
availability by adding additional water rights in their respective sheds.
Furthermore, the NEC MP has the potential of increasing the risks on
water quality and subsequently reducing water availability by altering
ecosystems such as wetlands and water towers, and causing pollution
of water resources.

Whilst the additional demand on water resources will be typical except

in the case of storage dams and those dams with an irrigation
component, the demand is both a potential opportunity and negative
impact. The latter is significant since Kenya is a water scarce country
whose land is classified as over 80% Arid and Semi-Arid Lands.
Distribution and access of water resources is uneven, and is a potential
preceptor of conflict. Conflict in this context is includes social, economic
and human-wildlife conflict.

The NEC traverses both urban and rural areas whose water sources
range from groundwater, piped water, rainwater and rivers amongst
others surface sources (See Figure 9.6) The Master Plan projects will
create an opportunity for service providers to capitalize on its
additional demand. But, without adequate investments into
infrastructure and Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM), it
can contribute to intermittent service on piped supply and/or increase
competition on both surface and groundwater sources. This SEA study
deems the water sector projects are mainstream strategies aimed at
solving sectoral challenges in the country.

9.11.5 Materials and Goods

The infrastructure projects proposed by the NEC MP will create a

demand for construction materials and goods. This will not only create
an economic opportunity for supplying those materials but also a threat
on natural resources that can be sourced or converted to goods through
unsustainable means. These means of sourcing and converting these
materials/goods are usually either extractive, destructive or generate
the most emissions. The NEC MP projects can thus contribute to the
development challenges associated with unsustainable resource
consumption in Kenya and beyond. This risk compounds the potential
pressure that the NEC MP can add to PAs and other sensitive
ecosystems. Stakeholders of the NEC MP raised this amongst their
concerns and some common examples include extraction of building
materials, notably sand, concrete and bricks.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-34
 9.11.6 Mitigation Strategies

Mitigation strategies that can be implemented against natural resource

demand include:

• Integrating Life Cycle Assessment into the project level

environmental risk management,
• Complying with regulations governing resource extraction such
as Forests Act (2005), EMCA (2014), Sand Harvesting Guidelines
(2009), Water Resource Management Rules (2006) and Water Act
(2014) amongst others,
• Adopting sustainability standards at the project level such as
those pertaining to green building and energy efficiency (LEED),
• Ensuring building materials are sourced from sustainable
sources, and
• Implementing demand management and resource efficiency
measures for water, electricity and materials.

9.12 HEALTH AND SAFETY (H&S) RISKS

A risk is defined as the probability of hazard occurrence and its

potential consequences on exposure to a receptor1. This study
distinguishes potential H&S risks as follows:

9.12.1.1 Construction and Decommissioning Hazards

These hazards are associated with the processes, equipment and

materials of the construction and decommissioning phase of projects
(see Table 9.6). Dependent on the spatial nature of the hazard, potential
receptors will include project staff and neighbouring communities.

1 The World Bank (1997). Environmental Hazard and Risk Assessment. Environment Department. Number 21.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-35
Table 9.6 Construction and Decommissioning H&S Hazards

Hazard Potential Hazards

Category
Physical  Rotating and moving equipment
 Noise and vibration
 Electricity
 Vehicular transport
 Material conveyance or carousels
 Working with heat and hot equipment
 Ergonomic hazards (repetitive motion and handling)
 Working in lowly lit areas
 Working at height
 Working over water
 Working in confined spaces
 Slippery surfaces
 Stuck by objects
 Falling objects
 Elevated and stacked loads
 Tunnels and excavations
 Emissions and ejected materials
Chemical  Gaseous and particulate emissions
 Fires and explosions
 Flammable materials and chemicals
 Explosive materials and chemicals
 Oxidizing and corrosive chemicals
Biological  Wastes (solid and liquid) and other agents of disease
ecology including social ones
 Hazardous and toxic chemicals
Radiological  Electromagnetic Fields and Interference (non-ionizing
radiation).
Source: IFC, 2007 Environmental, Health and Safety General
Guidelines; ILO 1992, Safety and Health in Construction: An ILO Code
of Practice.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-36
9.12.1.2 Industry Specific Hazards

Industry specific hazards are those that are associated with the specific
activities of either the industry associated with the Master Plan projects
or the type of project itself. Table 9.7 identifies them according to their
respective sectors or projects, and they can be further identified and
assessed at the project level when project details are more defined.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-37
Table 9.7 Industry Specific H&S Hazards

Hazards
Sector/Project/Activities Physical Chemical Biological Radiological
Roads  Moving equipment  Hazardous chemicals  Solid and -
 Vehicular collisions (bitumen, asphalt, liquid wastes
(accidents), elevated work solvents and other (pathogens)
and loads chemicals)
 Working over water  Air emissions (exhaust
 Noise and vibration and dust)
 Slips and falls.  Transportation of
hazardous/dangerous
cargo.
Railway  Train/worker collisions  Diesel exhaust  Solid and  Cargo
(accidents - derailment  Hazardous chemicals and liquid wastes may
and at level crossings) substances (VOCs, PCBs, (pathogens) include
 Noise and vibration asbestos, paints, solvents  Cargo can radioacti
 Electricity and heavy metals) include ve
 Worker fatigue  Fires and explosions biologically materials.
 Moving equipment  Transportation and hazardous
 Working in confined handling of materials.
spaces. hazardous/dangerous
cargo.
Power Transmission  Electricity (live power  PCBs in transformers  Solid and  EMFs
Infrastructure lines)  Ozone (produced from liquid wastes and EMI.
 Working at height corona). (pathogens)
 Air traffic obstacles
 Noise (HV lines and
transformers).
Logistic Hubs  Vehicular collisions  Transportation and  Solid and  Cargo
(accidents) handling of liquid wastes may
 Elevated and stacked hazardous/dangerous (pathogens) include

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-38
 Hazards
Sector/Project/Activities Physical Chemical Biological Radiological
loads cargo  Cargo can radioacti
 Working at height  Fires and explosions include ve
 Slips and falls biologically materials.
 Noise hazardous
 Electricity materials.
OSBPs  Vehicular collisions  Transportation and  Solid and -
(accidents) handling of liquid wastes
 Working at height hazardous/dangerous (pathogens)
 Slips and falls cargo  Cargo can
 Electricity (fire risk) include
biologically
hazardous
materials.
Inland Ports  Maritime collisions and  Air emissions (exhaust  Solid and  Cargo
Marine Ports (Container capsizing/sinking and dust) liquid wastes may
berths)  Working and transport  Transportation and (pathogens) include
over water (falling handling of  Cargo can radioacti
overboard – drowning) hazardous/dangerous include ve
 Confined spaces cargo biologically materials.
 Electricity  Fire and explosions hazardous
 Slips and falls (flammable cargo e.g. materials.
 Working at height and coal, grain dust and
dock work petroleum).
 Noise and vibration
 Elevated and stacked
loads
 Moving equipment
 Vehicular collisions
(accidents)
 Train collisions (accidents)

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-39
 Hazards
Sector/Project/Activities Physical Chemical Biological Radiological
 Visual intrusion
(permanent illumination at
night).
ICDs  Elevated and stacked  Air emissions (exhaust  Solid and  Cargo
loads and dust) liquid wastes may
 Moving machinery  Transportation and (pathogens) include
 Electricity handling of  Cargo can radioacti
 Slips and falls hazardous/dangerous include ve
 Noise and vibration cargo biologically materials.
 Traffic collisions  Fire and explosions hazardous
(accidents) (flammable cargo). materials.
 Confined spaces
 Working at height
Airport Expansion  Vehicular collisions  Air emissions (exhaust,  Solid and  Cargo
(accidents) VOCs and dust) liquid wastes may
 Air crashes and aircraft  Transportation and (pathogens) include
collisions (including handling of  Cargo can radioacti
ground accidents and hazardous/dangerous include ve
Foreign Object Damage cargo biologically materials
(FOD))  Fire and explosions hazardous
 Wake vortices (flammable cargo, materials
 Elevated loads electricity, heating and  Food
 Working at height cooking equipment) contamination
 Confined spaces  Petroleum and potential.
 Moving equipment petrochemicals (handling
 Slips and falls and storage of fuel)
 Visual intrusion
(permanent illumination at
night)
 Noise and vibration

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-40
 Hazards
Sector/Project/Activities Physical Chemical Biological Radiological
 Electricity
 Heat and cold stress
Pipeline (includes  Open trenches and  Fires and explosions  Solid and -
telecommunication and excavations  Air emissions and dust liquid waste
SCADA system)  Moving equipment (fuel vapours and exhaust (pathogens)
 Confined spaces fumes)
 Elevated loads  Petroleum and
 Hot work (welding) petrochemicals (transport
 Electricity and storage)
 Noise and vibration
 Traffic collisions
(accidents)
 Flying/ejected objects
(glass fibre shards)
 Laser light exposure
Shipping  Work and transport over  Air emissions (exhaust  Solid and  Cargo
water and dust) liquid wastes may
 Confined spaces  Petroleum and (including include
 Working at height and petrochemicals ballast water) radioacti
dock work  Fires and explosions, (pathogens) ve
 Slips and falls transportation and  Food materials
 Elevated and stacked  Handling of contamination
loads dangerous/hazardous potential
 Moving equipment cargo
 Electricity  Shipbreak and
 Noise and vibration maintenance hazardous
 Maritime collisions and chemicals (asbestos, toxic
capsizing/sinking paint, PCBs, heavy metals
(accidents) and VOCs)
Coal Transportation  Noise and vibration,  Fire and explosions (coal  Solid and -

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-41
 Hazards
Sector/Project/Activities Physical Chemical Biological Radiological
 Train/worker collisions dust) liquid waste
(accidents - derailment  Air emissions (exhaust (pathogens)
and at level crossings) fumes, coal dust and
 Moving equipment general dust)
Food processing hub  Electricity  Residual pesticides and  Solid and -
Crop distribution facility  Slips and falls fertilizers liquid waste
 Elevated and stacked  Petroleum and (pathogens)
loads petrochemicals  Food/produce
 Traffic collisions  Fires and explosions contamination
(accidents)  Preservative potential
 Moving equipment chemicals/agents and  Transmission
 Confined spaces other hazardous of infectious
 Noise and vibration substances and parasitic
 Heat and cold stress diseases
 Flying/ejected objects (zoonoses)
 Sharps
Irrigation  Open trenches/canals  Pesticides and fertilizers  Waterborne -
 Working over and (bioaccumulation can also and vector-
presence of water occur in waterbodies) borne diseases
(drowning risk)  Solid and
 Flooding liquid wastes
 Traffic collisions (pathogens)
(accidents)
 Slips and falls
Dams  Working over and  Pesticides and fertilizers  Waterborne  EMF and
presence of water (bioaccumulation can also and vector- EMI
(drowning) occur in water bodies) borne diseases (applies
 Flooding and dam failure  Solid and for HEP
 Working at height liquid wastes multipur
 Traffic collisions (pathogens) pose

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-42
 Hazards
Sector/Project/Activities Physical Chemical Biological Radiological
(accidents) dams)
 Electricity (HEP
multipurpose dams)
Water Treatment and  Electricity  Water treatment  Solid and Water may
Supply  Confined spaces chemicals (can include liquid wastes contain
 Traffic collisions strong acids and bases e.g. (pathogens radioactive
(accidents) Cl, Na, NaOCl and NH3) and treatment substances
 Moving machinery  Heavy metals waste)
 Open water  Air emissions (exhaust  Biological
 Slips and falls and dust) water
 Working at height  Chemical water contamination
contamination
Coal Power Plant  Electricity  Water and process  Solid and EMF and
 Confined spaces chemicals liquid wastes EMI (non-
 Traffic collisions  Fires and explosions (coal (pathogens ionizing
(accidents) dust) and treatment radiation)
 Moving machinery waste)
 Heat stress and heated
equipment
 Moving machinery

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-43
9.13 UNPLANNED EVENTS

The following Section presents the assessment of impacts resulting from

unplanned or non-routine events and those which are as a result of
accidents. These are different to impacts from effects that would
reasonably be predicted to occur in the normal course of activities.

9.13.1 Accidents

The risk of transportation accidents will be increased as a result of the

implementation of the Master Plan projects. In the roads sector, which
is most commonly used transportation mode in the NEC, there were
3,093 fatal accidents per year in Kenya between 2005 and 2015. In 2015,
there were 6.4 deaths or road fatalities per 100,000 people in the
country. In the same year, 18% of road fatalities in Kenya occurred
within the NEC – which is Kenya’s most important transport corridor.
The NEC also has 72 documented accident hotspots (blackspots) which
is significantly more than the rest of the country1. The number of Road
and Traffic Accidents (RTAs) has also in recent times been influenced
by an increase in the number of motor cycles in the country.

In the aviation sector, there have been 198 accidents/crashes in Kenya

between 1926 and 2016. Of these, 66 have been fatal causing 235
fatalities2. Maritime and rail accidents are more common than aviation
accidents but less common than RTAs.

The following mitigation strategies can be implemented to prevent

accidents:

• Complying with industry guidelines and regulations in the

design of infrastructure,
• Implementing and supporting programs to ensure vehicles and
crafts are maintained to regulatory approved standards,
• Implementing and supporting programs that ensure drivers and
pilots are adequately trained to operate their respective vehicles
and crafts,
• Implementing and supporting programs aimed at raising public
awareness in the pertinent industries, and
• Developing project level emergency/disaster preparedness and
response plans.

1 Kenya Police Service, (2014). Accident Blackspots in Kenya.

2 Aviation Safety Network, (2016). Statistics on Air Crashes in Kenya 1926 – 2016.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-44
9.13.2 Spills

Spills or accidental release of hazardous materials can occur from their

storage, use and transportation. Whilst their nature will be largely
industry specific, there will be a higher risk of spills from road
transportation as compared to other potential causes. This is because
road transportation has the most human factors (interaction with other
users and accidents). Maritime transportation of liquids including
petroleum and oil will also present a risk of spills. This form of
transportation is the most common cause of oil spills globally when
compared to all other potential causes.

With respect to pipelines, poor maintenance and the age of the current
product pipeline has resulted in spills some of which have been fatal. It
is deemed that the Master Plan interventions in the oil and gas section
aim to solve challenges in this sector.

Lastly, risks of spills from storage and use of hazardous materials is

specific to projects and the facilities concerned. These facilities will
include: logistic hubs, ports and local storages at the project level.

The mitigation strategies below can be implemented against the risk of

spills:

• Developing project level emergency/disaster preparedness and

response plans as well as spill contingency plans and providing
resources to respond to spills,
• Complying with the National Oil Spill Response Plan by
integrating its provisions to any project level contingency plans,
• Implementing and supporting monitoring programs at the
project level,
• Providing training to project staff on spill prevention and
management, and
• Adhering to industry guidelines on the design and maintenance
of any fluid storage, loading and conveyance equipment and
infrastructure.

9.13.3 Fire

Fires can occur on implementation of the Master Plan projects due to:

 the introduction, generation, storage and use of flammable

materials (including wastes),
 emergencies such as accidents and spills,
 use of heating and burning equipment, and

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-45
  electric faults.

Microclimatic modifications can also increase the preceptors of wild

fires. This will be through increasing local dry periods and temperature
maxima particularly in the ASAL and grassland regions. These regions
are predominant in the low-lying regions in the eastern section of the
NEC (ASALs), and the southern and central regions of the Rift Valley in
Nakuru, Laikipia, Kiambu, Baringo, Kajiado and Narok counties.

9.13.4 Electrocution

The use of electricity in the different Master Plan projects and its
transmission through powerlines can cause electrocution. This can
occur when people and animals are exposed to uninsulated conductors
or if electric faults occur. Avifauna and other large animals such as
primates which can scale power infrastructure will be particularly at
risk of electrocution from powerlines. Induced faults, including those
from animals, can result in loss of service affecting related economic
activities in service areas.

9.13.5 Product Safety Risk

The Master Plan projects include 8No. Water Supply Projects (WSPs) as
part of the multi-purpose dams, a food processing hub and agricultural
produce distribution centre. These will produce or handle consumable
goods and will thus have to adhere with health and safety standards.
This is because risks of contamination and transmission of zoonoses (1)
will be present at these facilities. Contamination and transmission of
zoonoses can have negative health impacts on the receptors and
compromise the economic and social objectives of these
facilities/projects.

9.13.6 Human Wildlife Conflict

Human-wildlife conflict can occur via any of the following modes:

 Increasing the interactions between humans and wildlife

through the development of infrastructure in Greenfield areas or
increase of human activity.
 Increasing the risk agents of accidents which include collisions
with wildlife.

 Reducing access to natural resources such as water due to

development of dams.

(1) a disease that can be transmitted to humans from animals.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-46
  Increasing or concentrating wildlife attractions in settled areas.
These attractions include agricultural produce, crops and organic
wastes amongst others.
 Increasing other hazards to wildlife such as wastes and
electricity from power transmission infrastructure.

9.14 NATURAL HAZARDS

9.14.1 Summary of Applicable Constraints

Pertinent constraints to natural disasters include:

• Faults and seismic zones,

• Flood plains,
• Arid and Semi-Arid Lands, and
• Areas susceptible to landslides.

9.14.2 Floods

Hydro meteorological hazards, including floods, are the most prevalent

type of hazard in Kenya as discussed in Chapter 5 of this report. Flood
risk can be exacerbated by the NEC through the predicted changes in
hydrological regimes and land use changes. Amongst the modes
through which this can occur is by increasing run-off in watersheds,
dam burst and irrigation. On the other hand, particularly in urban
areas, improper management of the anticipated solid wastes can lead to
clogging or blockage of drainage systems resulting floods during
deluge and or rainy seasons. This has been observed in urban centres
such as Nairobi recently in 2015 and 2016. Other factors contributing to
these urban floods include land use changes, construction in riparian
areas and diversion of watercourses.

9.14.3 Dam Burst

Under abnormal circumstances, dam bursts or breakage (failures) can

occur on the dams which are intended to be developed by the Master
Plan. Dam bursts pose a risk on downstream communities because of
the destructive force of the resulting flood wave and sudden inundation
of large areas. The flood wave and inundation can cause loss of life
through drowning as well as destruction of property and displacement
of communities.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-47
 9.14.4 Landslides

The risk of landslides can increase in the highland areas of the NEC as a
result of road and rail cut, hillside farming and land use changes. Road
and rail cut change slope angles thereby reducing their stability and
increasing susceptibility to mass wasting. Hillside farming and land use
change in hillsides contribute to this risk through a variety of way
which include: increasing run-off on slopes, altering slope angles and
stability and increasing the weight of overburden on the slopes.

9.14.5 Mitigation Strategies

The following are the mitigation strategies that can be implemented

against natural hazards:

• Avoiding construction in flood plains in line with industry

guidelines,
• Integrating considerations for seismicity in the engineering
design of infrastructure in seismically active areas,
• Complying with industry guidelines for the design and
maintenance of dams such as those published by the
International Commission for Large Dams (ICOLD),
• Avoidance of fault zones,
• Incorporating landslide prevention measures for any
construction in landslide prone areas,
• Implementing and supporting disaster/emergency preparedness
and response plans and programs at the project level,
• Implementing and supporting programs aimed at raising
personnel and public awareness on potential hazards, and
• Integrating the provisions of the National Disaster Response
Plan into project level disaster/emergency preparedness and
response plans, and coordinating with the pertinent authorities.

9.15 CLIMATE CHANGE

As discussed in Chapter 5, climate change poses a threat to each

economic sector of Kenya. These threats can challenge the achievement
of Master Plan strategic objectives. Whilst GHGs are considered to be
the cause of global anthropogenic climate change, the NEC MP can only
mitigate emissions within its projects. Climate change can still occur as
a result of emissions from other activities. Notably these include: other
sectors in Kenya not in the NEC MP, other projects in the NEC not
under the management or influence of the NEC Master Plan
Implementers, and activities of other countries. This study notes that
Kenya remains vulnerable to the impacts of climate change despite

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-48
 being amongst the lower quantiles of GHG emitters. In connection, the
NEC MP will be vulnerable as well.

9.16 ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

Table 9.8 presents the findings of the assessment exercise on the

identified impact using the methodology described in Chapter 4
(Section 4.5).

Table 9.8 Impact Significance Assessment

Impact Sensitivity Magnitude Significance

Habitat Alteration and High Moderate Large
Biodiversity Impacts
Air Emissions Medium Moderate Moderate
Landscape Modifications Low Moderate Slight
Soil Alteration Medium Moderate Moderate
Hydrological Modifications High Minor Moderate
Pollution Risk High Moderate Large
Natural Resources Demand High Moderate Large
Health and Safety Risks High Large Large

9.17 CUMULATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

9.17.1 Overview

This Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) has been prepared as per

the ERM Impact Assessment Standard which addresses the evaluation
of cumulative impacts and is based on current international practice
and guidance, specifically:

 European Union (EU), 1999, Guidelines for the Assessment of

Indirect and Cumulative Impacts as well as Impact Interactions,

 Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, 2012, Assessing

Cumulative Environmental Effects under the Canadian
Environmental Assessment Act,

 International Finance Corporation (IFC), 2013, Good Practice

Handbook Cumulative Impact Assessment and Management:
Guidance for the Private Sector in Emerging Markets, and

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-49
  National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Council on
Environmental Quality (CEQ), 1997, Considering Cumulative
Effects under the National Environmental Policy Act.

Cumulative impacts are those that result from the successive,

incremental, and/or combined effects of an action, project, or activity
when added to other existing, planned, and/or reasonably anticipated
future ones

This cumulative assessment uses five classes to define the resulting

significance of these cumulative impacts. These are described in Table
9.9.

Table 9.9 Determining the Effects of Cumulative Impacts

Significance Effect
Severe Effects that the decision-maker must take into account as the
receptor/resource is irretrievably compromised
Major Effects that may become a key decision-making issue
Moderate Effects that are unlikely to become issues on whether the
project design should be selected, but where future work may
be needed to improve on current performances
Minor Effects that are locally significant
Not Effects that are beyond the current forecasting ability or are
Significant within the ability of the resource to absorb such change.

9.17.2 Cumulative Environmental Impacts

Table 9.10 presents the findings of the identification and assessment of

the cumulative environmental effects/impacts of the NEC MP.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-50
Table 9.10 Cumulative Environmental Effects/Impacts

Primary Impacts1
Cumulative Impact HABI AE LM SA HM PR NRD HS Significance
Land
Land degradation X X X X X X X X Severe
Soil contamination X X X X X X Moderate
Loss of open spaces X X Minor
Increased soil erosion X X X X X Moderate
Loss of soil nutrients X X X X X X Minor
Air
Climate change/global warming X X X X X Major
Incremental reduction in air quality X X X X X X Major
Incremental reduction in ambience (e.g. noise) X Minor
Water
Incremental reduction in water quality X X X X X X X Major
Incremental reduction in water availability X X X X Major
Incremental lowering of water tables X X Moderate
Increased flood risk X X X X X Moderate
Biosphere
Habitat fragmentation X X X Moderate
Biodiversity losses X X X X X X X Moderate
Habitat losses X X X X X Moderate
Increase occurrence of Human-Wildlife conflict X X X X X Major
Behavioural intrusions on animals X X X X X X Minor
Increased risk of desertification X X X X X X Major

1Acronyms: Habitat Alteration and Biodiversity Impacts (HABI), Air Emissions (AE), Landscape Modifications (LM), Soil Alteration (SA), Hydrological
Modifications (HM), Pollution Risk (PR), Natural Resources Demand (NRD) and Health and Safety Risks (HS)

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

9-51
 10 KEY SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES

10.1 INTRODUCTION

In this Chapter the potential social, cultural, economic and human health
impacts of the NEC Master Plan are predicted and assessed, and
mitigation strategies are proposed. Similar to Chapter 9, the prediction
and assessment is focused on the Multi-Core with Regional Industrial
Development Type Master Plan Alternative. Insights and feedback
received from stakeholders during the preparation of this Study also
inform this impact assessment process.

This Chapter addresses two items, namely:

 Socio-economic impacts, and

 Cumulative socio-economic impacts.

10.2 NEC MASTER PLAN

As discussed in Chapter 2 of this Report, the development vision for the

NEC is to be the leading economic corridor with integrated transport
and logistics systems in Africa. The Master Plan therefore aims at
balanced growth and efficient logistics in the NEC region by promoting
urban functions of 18 Secondary Cites, including 6 Secondary cum
Regional Production Centres (see Figure 10.1 and Table 0.1 below),
which also cascade into specific sectoral infrastructure projects (Table
10.2).

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

10-1
Figure 10.1 The NEC Master Plan

Source: JICA, 2016

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

10-2
Table 10.1 Location of Flagship NEC Projects in Kenya and Uganda

No. Sector Project Title

1 Mining Eldoret-Kampala-Kigali Oil Pipeline Project

2 Mining ICT Project in Northern Corridor

3 Road Logistics Highway Project

4 Logistics Logistic Hub Project

Northern Corridor Integration Backbone (Power Generation, Transmission and

5 Power
Interconnectivity)

6 Road Eldoret-Juba Highway Project

7 Port Mombasa Port Development Project

8 Urban Dev’t Project for Support of Re-organizing Logistics Facilities around Mombasa Port Area

9 Water Stony Athi Dam and Upper Athi Dam Project

10 Water Mwache Dam Project

11 Power Isinya-Nairobi East Transmission Line Project

12 Industry Geothermal Energy Based Regional Industrial Development in Rift Valley

13 Power Geothermal Project in Rift Valley

14 Power Mombasa Coal Power and Mariakani Substation Project

15 Power Dongo Kundu-Mariakani Transmission Project

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

10-3
16 Industry Mombasa Special Economic Zone Project

Project for Building Up Competitiveness of Construction Materials and Machinery

17 Industry
Industry in Kenya

18 Agriculture Agricultural Financing Improvement Project in Nairobi

19 Agriculture Value Chain of Agriculture Development Pilot Project in Kenya

20 Urban Dev’t Logistics Based Kisumu-Kakamega Metropolitan Area Development Project

21 Mining Study on Mining Master Plan in Uganda

Project for Building Up Competitiveness of Construction Materials and Machinery

22 Industry
Industry in Uganda

23 Agriculture Value Chain of Agriculture Development Pilot Project in Uganda

24 Power Kampala-North-Namungona-Mutundwe 132 kV Transmission Line Refurbishment

25 Urban Dev’t Great Kampala (including Jinja) Logistic Based Urban Development Project

26 Urban Dev’t Study on master Plan for Urban Transport Development for Regional cities

27 Industry SEZ Development Project in Kampala

Source: JST, 2016

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

10-4
Table 10.2 NEC MP Sectoral Distribution of Infrastructure Projects

Sector Number of Projects

Road 12
Railway 10
Border Post 7
Marine Port 5
Airport 1
Inland Waterway/Port 1
Logistics Hub 3
Oil and Mining 3
Agriculture and Fishery 9
Manufacture 3
Power 3
Water 9
Source: JST, 2016

The NEC Master Plan will ultimately result in the development of a

multitude of projects. The potential impacts of these projects are
predicted and assessed at a strategic level on the receptive baseline and
its constraints discussed in Chapter 6 (Socio-Economic Baseline).

10.3 IMPACT PREDICTION

The impact prediction process entails grouping issues associated with

the different sectoral projects being developed. These issues are
identified through an iterative process. In order to achieve this,
prediction matrices have been used. This process is also informed by:

 Good International Industry Practice Guidelines (GIIPs),

 research,
 environmental and social risks of similar projects and plans, and
 Stakeholder engagement.

10.4 SUMMARY OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS

Table 10.3 below provides a summary of the socio-economic impacts

that may occur as a result of the Master Plan.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

10-5
Table 10.3 Socio-Economic Identification Matrix

Impro Regional Grow Capacity Employ Procure Econo Cultu Liveliho Rural – Publ Insecur Land Lan Urbanisa Land
ved develop th Develop ment ment my ral ods urban ic ity acquisit d tion Tenu
Logisti ment drive ment Herita migrati Heal ion use re
cs rs ge on th
Sector
Road X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Railway X X X X
Border X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Post
Port X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Airport X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Inland X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Waterwa
y/
Port
Logistic X X X X X X X
Hub
Oil and X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Mining
Agricultu X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
re and
Fisheries
Manufact X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
ure
Power X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Water X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

10-6
10.5 POSITIVE SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS

The overall objective of the Master Plan is to improve logistics for the
NEC as well as to provide an integrated regional development strategy
consistent with sub-regional and national development plans. As per
Chapter 2 of this Report, it is hoped that this will:

 spur regional economic development within Kenya, as well as

Uganda,
 improve the development of the industrial, agricultural, mining,
petroleum, manufacturing and tourism sectors,
 lead to transport and logistics infrastructure development,
 result in an efficient and integrated multi-modal transportation
system,
 result in the diversification of financial sources for infrastructure
through PPP arrangements and infrastructure bonds, and
 reduce the bottlenecks to efficient cargo transportation, such as road
and port congestion, as well as cross border delays.

The following Sections detail the positive socio-economic impacts of the

NEC Master Plan.

10.5.1 Logistics Improvements

10.5.1.1 Summary of Bottlenecks:

Current bottlenecks result in:

 high transport costs, and

 Long delays of cargo at customs, at the port and at border posts.

10.5.1.2 Logistics Improvements

Cost reducing factors of inland transport as a result of the Master Plan

have been identified as:

 reduction of truck charges,

 reduction of costs of various procedures and formalities,
 reduction in the cost due to the use of the SGR for returning empty
containers, and
 Reduction in the time it takes for imports to clear customs, the
Mombasa Port, and at Border posts.

As a result, JST (2016) estimate that approximately 15% of the total

inland transport cost will be reduced in the case of transport from

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

10-7
 Mombasa to Nairobi and to Kampala as shown below in Table 10.4 and
Table 10.5.

Table 10.4 Summary of Estimated Reduction of Inland Transport Cost (per

container)

From Reduction Reduction Returning

Item Current
Mombasa cost of of cost for empty
truck procedures containers
charge by rail
s
To Nairobi Reduction 0 45 200 180
rate(USD)
Amount(USD) 1,915 1,870 1,670 1,490
Degree of 100% 98% 87% 78%
Reduction (%)
To Reduction 0 50 400 450
Kampala rate(USD)

Amount(USD) 3,600 3,550 3,150 2,700

Degree of 100% 98% 87% 75%

Reduction (%)
Source: JST 2016

Table 10.5 Projection of Reduction of Inland Transport Cost and Production Cost

Cost of inland transportation Total cost of production Percentage

using one container of raw
per container (USD) materials （USD） of reduced
cost in
Before After Before After total cost
To Nairobi 1,000 780 25,000 24,780 0.9%
To Kampala 4,250 3,188 28,333 27,271 3.8%

Source: JST 2016 (1)

The current transport and logistics situation for the NEC is that the
movement of cargo is heavily influenced by road traffic congestion, the
operation of the Mombasa Port, and cross border operations. In Kenya,
approximately 1% cost reduction of the total production can be realized
through the NEC Master Plan. It should be noted that the impact of
transportation and procedural streamlining will also improve the
logistics between the factories to customers, and sometimes across
borders. Therefore, the impact should not be limited to the above-
mentioned volume.

(1) The inland transportation cost per container is calculated using the lowest price per ton per container obtained through
interview. One container is assumed to be 25t of raw materials

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

10-8
 10.5.2 Regional Development

10.5.2.1 Summary of Applicable Opportunities

 Admission of Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan in the East African

Community (EAC) has expanded the market for products and
services produced in this region. As a result, Kenya’s industries are
bound to produce and sell more in the region.

 Competition from neighbouring countries will enable the proposed

projects in the NEC (as identified in Figure 10.1) to be undertaken
efficiently. That way, the NEC will not only be ahead of its
competitors but ensure that Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and
DRC remain within this route.

10.5.2.2 Regional Development

The Regional Production Centres proposed in the Master Plan will

generate key industries and products, including growth drivers. In
addition, primary and secondary cities will serve as centres of urban
service or/and key logistic hubs for the regions. The Regional
Production Centres as well as primary and secondary cities are
illustrated in Figure.10.2 below.

Figure.10.2 Proposed Regional Centres

Source: JST, 2016

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

10-9
 10.5.2.3 Enhancement Strategies

 Deepening regional integration in the Eastern Africa region

implies creating the appropriate conditions for guaranteeing
factor mobility, the free movement of people, goods and services

10.5.3 Development of Growth Drivers

10.5.3.1 Summary of Applicable Opportunities

As per Section 2.6 of this Report, sources of growth include:

 Expanding domestic and regional, and international markets for
net profit,
 Strategic products or industries which provide significant
solutions for industrial structure upgrading,
 Industries with strong forward and backward linkages

The above growth drivers have the potential to:

 increase exports to the East African region (or international
markets),
 decrease imports through the expansion of domestic production,
and
 increase the contribution to add value to the local economy.

10.5.3.2 Development of Growth Drivers

Export-oriented growth drivers produced at production centres are tea,

coffee, textile and apparel products, niobium, soda ash, processed fruits
and vegetables, palm oil products, and oil seed products. Those are
expected to contribute to high growth in volumes of export cargo in the
future.

The export-oriented growth drivers will have a more competitive

advantage through effective and efficient logistical system including
improved border post logistic hubs etc. (see Figure 10.3).

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

10-10
Figure 10.3 Flow of Export-oriented Growth Drivers through Mombasa Port

Source: JST 2016

Some of the growth driver products from the production centres can
replace import goods. Those are rice, oil products, phosphate fertilizer
and maize. The total reduction will be 3.5 million tonnes by 2030 and
that will be 10% increase of freight import in 2030 at Mombasa port.
Figure 10.4 below shows the rice products flow as an example.

Figure 10.4 Flow of Rice Products

Source: JST 2016

10.5.4 Capacity Development

10.5.4.1 Capacity Development

Through the Master Plan study, the following three items have been
identified as necessary for capacity development,

 Public Private Partnership (PPP),

 Land Acquisition and Resettlement, and
 Single Custom Territory (SCT).

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

10-11
 Table 10.6 shows the current issues and necessity actions for capacity
development.

Table 10.6 Necessary Actions for Capacity Development

Item Action
PPP  Arrangement of technical and financial support
during the formulation of PPP projects
 Formulation and issuance of specific guidelines on
where the jurisdiction of county government ends
and that of the central government in PPP
 Formulation and issuance of guidelines for joint
agreements among the countries for cross border
infrastructure projects

Land Acquisition  Formulation and implementation of a land title

and Resettlement management project to establish a land title database
with cadastral map information
 Arrangement of technical assistance for a land
acquisition and resettlement program

SCT  Expansion of goods to be adapted by the SCT

 An increase in trained staff and equipment for the
customs office in the Mombasa port
 Installation and expansion of ICT through a cross
border ICT project along the Standard Gauge Railway
(SGR), transmission lines, oil pipelines, etc.

Source: JST 2016

The above positive economic impacts (Sections 10.5.1 - 10.5.4) will

therefore result in the following positive social impacts (Sections 10.5.5 -
10.5.7).

10.5.5 Impacts on Employment

10.5.5.1 Summary of Applicable Opportunities and Constraints

Applicable opportunities related to employment include:

 The increasing population can result in an increase in labour

force, if the rise in population has resulted from an increase in
the birth rate or immigration. The expanding economy

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

10-12
 industries can therefore recruit new workers from this labour
force,
 Domestic challenges in the manufacturing sector can present
opportunities for the industrial sector to plan and address them,
specifically through the improvement of the investment
environment, increasing the market size, increasing employment
and incomes and providing raw materials from the agricultural
and mineral and oil sectors.

However, potential constraints also include:

 An increase in the number of people of working-age without a

corresponding increase in appropriate skills and jobs will result
in unemployment
 As the population moves to the urban areas, unemployment can
increase, resulting in an increase in crime rates as well as the
development of slums or shanties.
 Unemployment and underemployment have both been
identified as Kenya’s difficult and persistent problems. Over 13%
of the working age population is unemployed. About 67% of
Kenya’s unemployed are youths between 15 and 34 years of age.
The highest unemployment rates are for people around 20 years
old at 35%. This makes unemployment in Kenya a youth
problem.

10.5.5.2 Impacts on Employment

The growth of secondary cities will attract new investments and

businesses. As these cities will also be governance and economic
centres, their growth will create new jobs and reduce rural-urban
migrations to the major cities.

The growth of agricultural and mineral sectors will create employment

opportunities in the rural areas. This will increase the incomes,
investments, growth of the rural sector and reduce rural poverty.

Jobs will also be created by freight rail, related logistics industries, and
the manufacturing businesses served by freight rail. The sub-sectors
will offer good entry level jobs with career potential for more skilled
workers.

Employment opportunities will be created from logistic activities which

range from low to high skilled jobs to support the logistic operations. A

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

10-13
 diversified logistics service market will strengthen local expertise and
improve the performance of freight distribution.

The existing infrastructure facilities will employ more people once there
is improvement in their utilization. More people will be employed as
result of increasing operations at inland water ports and Mombasa port.

Reducing imports and reliance on home-grown food and processing

thereof will also serve as a massive boost to employment

10.5.5.3 Enhancement Strategies

The objective of enhancement measures is to optimise the opportunity

for direct employment and training for the work force at a local,
provincial or national level. Proposed strategies include:

 Skills development and adult education programs will be required

to maximise the benefits associated with formal employment
opportunities.

 Representatives from the various County Governments should be

informed of the specific jobs and the skills required for the NEC
projects, prior to the commencement of construction of these
projects. This will give the local populations time prior to the
commencement of construction to enable them to attain the relevant
skills to be employable on these projects. This is applicable to un-
skilled and semi-skilled workers.

 NEC projects should prioritise the employment of unskilled labour

from local communities in the first instance.

 NEC projects developing a fair and transparent employment policy

and process that manages out any potential nepotism. The policy
should be shared with nearby communities.

10.5.6 Impact on Procurement

10.5.6.1 Impact on Procurement

The risk of losing money on investments in developing transport and

logistics infrastructure will be reduced. This is because the Country will
depend on many sectors i.e. agriculture, industry, mining, tourism etc.
to pay, in the long run, for the investment

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

10-14
 10.5.6.2 Enhancement Strategies

 Due to the viability, some of the proposed projects should be

undertaken by the private sector or public-private partnerships
(PPP). Such projects include establishment of industries, production
centres and transport hubs, mining, etc.

10.5.7 Impact on the Economy

10.5.7.1 Summary of Applicable Constraints

Potential constraints include:

 In recent years, there has been a surge of terrorist attacks in Eastern

Africa and Kenya has had a share of these attacks. Terrorists are
motivated to disrupt the economy, to cause personal injury to
concentrations of people, to strike at symbolic targets, and transport
tools of terror using transport infrastructure,
 Not all regions within the NEC produce adequate cargo necessary to
sustain the transport infrastructure. The undeveloped areas need to
be developed before they can produce goods for handling by the
transport modes. Developing underdeveloped regions requires a lot
of resources to be dedicated to these regions before they may be able
to produce more goods,
 Recent experiences show that Kenya’s economic growth rate has
been fluctuating, giving the impression that economic growth is not
steadily occurring. In situations where the actual economic growth
rates fall below the planned rates (at an average annual growth rate
of 6.6%) as envisaged by the Master Plan, implementation of the
development strategies would be slowed down, delayed, or even
frustrated,
 Implementation of the Development Strategies requires a lot of
funds which Kenya may not have or have in limited amounts. The
Government needs to reform the tax system so as to maximize
revenues. Even when funds are available, the Government would
have to prioritize its expenditure among competing interests.
Funding can limit the Government to spend money on big
infrastructure projects, and
 Corruption can adversely affect implementation of the development
strategies by making infrastructure project expensive, delay or, even
fail. A country suffering from corruption cannot implement sound
plans and thus is not expected to benefit from sustainable
development despite embarking upon economic growth from time
to time for some reason or the other.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

10-15
10.5.7.2 Impact on the Economy

Local production of goods will be stimulated. This would result in more

goods and cargo being produced to support the transport logistics
infrastructure investments.

Industrial business sectors will be anchored in the COD. It will attract

and retain logistics and manufacturing operations that depend on
proximity to the railway lines, trans-load facilities, or intermodal
terminal to minimize transportation costs while gaining ready access to
urban markets.

Regional competitiveness will be improved. A strong multimodal

freight transportation system is a prerequisite for development of
industrial clusters in a region and a key to energy-efficient
transportation. COD will enable regions to create more efficient
national freight transportation networks, with the benefits of COD in
multiple regions flowing up to strengthen the national economy.

There will be improved system condition and performance in terms of

modal connectivity and safety. There will be benefit-cost and cost
effectiveness in terms of time and cost, system accessibility, short-term
jobs and operational costs.

Work practices will be integrated: the integration of labour force work

practices required to move cargo most efficiently through a supply
chain, including at ports and intermodal/ trans-load facilities. It will
require sound organizational (managing labour as a group) and
management skills (managing individual workers) competencies.

Information will be integrated: the inter-connectedness of information

systems to allow for improved management of supply chains. Systems
that provide electronic data interchange will be included.

There will be planning and funding integration: the planning and

funding of infrastructure from an integrated multimodal, total logistics
chain perspective. Freight transportation bottlenecks are a potentially
significant hindrance to economic growth and the integration of
transport chains. It will also recognize the concerns in government and
industry that established institutional and financial arrangements have
not adequately responded in recent decades to the demands imposed
by growing volumes of freight and passenger traffic and to
fundamental shifts in regional and global patterns of trade.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

10-16
There will be customs integration which will aim at moving goods
more efficiently across Kenya’s borders, including pre-screening and
inspections.

Security will be integrated which will emphasize the

interconnectedness or harmonization of security procedures that
protect cargo from theft or damage and protect the public from risks
posed by dangerous cargo or threats posed by illicit cargo.

The infrastructure would be optimally utilized. Presently some of it is

underutilized or redundant. For example, Kisumu Port and other
smaller ports on Lake Victoria currently handle lower volume of cargo
than they used in 1960s and 1970s. If they are fully utilized, they will
improve trade within the lake region and, between Kenya, Uganda and
Tanzania.

All components of logistics will be efficiently coordinated to promote

value addition under the least cost principle.

Well-coordinated logistics will benefit both producers and consumers.

The net effect will be reduction of costs of doing business for producers
and lower prices for consumers in Kenya.

Infrastructure will be integrated: the physical connectedness and

interoperability of hard infrastructure, such as the ability to move
containers efficiently from ship to truck to rail. The transport terminal–
port, rail, or airport – is the key infrastructure where physical flows of
goods will be reconciled with the requirements of supply-chain
management.

Commerce will be integrated: the development of commercial

arrangements to promote a better integrated logistics system, including
service-level agreements and performance targets and penalties as well
as management processes, for example, between main-line railways and
short lines, or between railways and ports (or terminal operators). This
will include the elements of cost, time, and reliability as commercial
goals that are benchmarked and included in commercial supply-chain
decisions.

There will be regulatory integration: the structuring of regulations to

promote a better-integrated freight distribution system. Regulations
will promote efficient modal choice, avoid subsidized modal
preferences, and favour the harmonization of regulation across
jurisdictions. Since supply-chain management will involve modes and
processes across several nations, regulatory integration will become

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

10-17
increasingly important because it will transcend modes and
jurisdictions.

Agricultural and mineral cargo will easily reach the markets. Farmers
will produce and earn more from agricultural produce and minerals
like coal in Makueni will be exploited. Conversely, manufactured cargo
from the industries will easily reach the rural areas which will stimulate
consumption. The combined impact would result in increased
employment, incomes, improved well-being of the people and
development of the rural areas.

More agricultural and mineral raw materials will be produced for local
consumption, industrial use and exports. Consequently, the county’s
GDP, revenues and foreign exchange will increase. In addition, there
will be industrial growth when raw materials are turned into
manufactured goods.

Increased trade will enhance regional cooperation and integration

between the five countries and other African countries. The people and
governments in these countries will have increased need to work
together for their own benefit.

A wide range of goods for exports would be produced than presently is

the case. This would reduce the country’s over-reliance on a few crops
for exports and produce new different products and increase the
volume of the export cargo.

Import-substitution industries will be developed which will reduce the

volume of some of the current imports and the foreign earnings spent
for importing them. This would create jobs in the country and save the
country substantial foreign exchange.

Tax bases for the logistical hubs will grow and raise government
revenue. More business created in the hubs and beyond will be taxed to
raise government revenue.

Trade between Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Djibouti will
be enhanced. This will encourage production and consumption of
goods and services in these countries because of expanded market

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

10-18
10.6 NEGATIVE SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS

10.6.1 Loss of Cultural Heritage

The term cultural heritage encompasses several main categories of

heritage (1):

 Cultural heritage, which includes tangible cultural heritage such as

movable cultural heritage (paintings, sculptures, coins,
manuscripts), immovable cultural heritage (monuments,
archaeological sites), underwater cultural heritage (shipwrecks,
underwater ruins and cities), as well as intangible cultural heritage (
oral traditions, performing arts, rituals); and
 Natural heritage: natural sites with cultural aspects such as cultural
landscapes, physical, biological or geological formations

10.6.1.1 Summary of Applicable Constraints and Opportunities

 Along the NEC there are a number of archaeological sites that have
to be preserved. Development of the NEC transport infrastructure is
likely to disturb or disrupt these sites (see Annex F), and
 However, the NEC Master could also plan for these sites and boost
tourism by making these sites more accessible.

10.6.1.2 Loss of Cultural Heritage

The development of projects within the NEC may interfere with the
existing archaeological and historical heritage sites (see Section 6.12.2
and Annex F). These sites are therefore susceptible to degradation and
at the worst case, permanent destruction. Loss of cultural assets can
impact on community networks, structures and traditional practices
and can negatively affect the ability of a project to achieve a social
licence to operate and establish good relationships with neighbouring
communities.

10.6.1.3 Mitigation Strategies

To avoid and reduce the significance of the above mentioned impacts,

the following mitigation and management measures should be
implemented by the projects developed within the NEC.

 The presence of cultural heritage assets would need to be confirmed

in detailed studies associated with each potential project; this could

(1) http://www.unesco.org/new/en/culture/themes/illicit-trafficking-of-cultural-property/unesco-database-of-national-
cultural-heritage-laws/frequently-asked-questions/definition-of-the-cultural-heritage/

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

10-19
 influence the design and location of infrastructure, commercial
enterprises and industrial facilities.

 Incorporation of heritage sites into tourism master plans as a way of

preserving such sites

 Projects associated with the construction and operation of

infrastructure should be subject to Environmental and Social Impact
Assessment (ESIA) commensurate with the scale of the project and
impacts which includes consideration of cultural heritage and the
development of appropriate mitigation and management plans.

 In terms of locally important cultural heritage sites, any loss or

alteration to such sites should be consulted on, and agreed, with the
National Museums of Kenya (NMK) as well as the local
communities and the custodians of the site. If necessary, appropriate
rituals should be undertaken to move the cultural asset, or to
otherwise expiate disturbance or loss of the site.

 A framework “chance finds procedure” should be developed to

support the Master Plan which involves and references all relevant
ministries, other agencies and major cultural heritage stakeholders
in the country. The framework procedure should be deployed
within the construction and management planning for all
developments implemented under the auspices of the Plan.

10.6.2 Impact on Livelihoods

10.6.2.1 Impact on Livelihoods

There will be unemployment for those previously transporting cargo by

trucks. Businesses and livelihoods that also depend on trucks will be
adversely affected by the modal shift from truck to rail. Stakeholders
consulted in the border towns of Malaba and Busia raised this concern,
as they wanted to know what would be the alternative livelihoods for
those that depend on truck cargo transportation. JST responded that the
demand for human capacity would increase due to the modal shift and
as the economy grows, and gave examples from Japan.

10.6.2.2 Mitigation Strategies

 Institutional strengthening and capacity building for agencies across

the NEC who are responsible for promoting and coordinating

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

10-20
 commercial developments to ensure that social risks are adequately
understood and addressed through mitigation.

10.6.3 Rural-Urban Migration

10.6.3.1 Summary of Applicable Constraints

 Rural areas are deprived of labour in the agricultural sector leading

to a decline or slow growth of agricultural output; and families and
cultural bonds break or weaken as the population moves to the
urban areas, and

 As the population moves to the urban areas, unemployment

increases, crime rates rise, slums or shanties develop and social
services become inadequate.

10.6.3.2 Rural – Urban Migration

The growth of secondary cities will encourage rural-urban migration.

Workers will compare the expected incomes, job opportunities and
standard of living in the urban sector with the rural areas and migrate if
the former exceeds the latter. Rural-urban migration would also
exacerbate urban unemployment in the secondary cities, resulting in an
increase in anti-social behaviour (e.g., crime).

An increase in urban immigration would result in pressure on the social

amenities and infrastructure in the cities. City and county governments
would have to spend more funds to develop and maintain the schools,
health, housing, and recreational facilities.

Finally, rural-urban migration will deprive the rural areas of the young
and able-bodied people necessary to provide labour and skills for
increased agricultural productivity. This may then hamper the growth
of the agricultural/rural sector.

10.6.3.3 Mitigation Strategies

Specific measures include:

 Infrastructure projects should be subject to Environmental and

Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) undertaken in line with
international standards such as those of the World Bank or the
International Finance Corporation (IFC). The scope of the ESIA
should always include consideration of rural – urban migration.
 Urban development plans / CIDP should also cater for rural-urban
migration.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

10-21
10.6.4 Public Health

10.6.4.1 Summary of Applicable Constraints

Applicable constraints within the Country as a whole include:

 Poor access to basic primary health care;

 High mortality rates;
 Low staffing levels of doctors and nurses;
 Prevalence of communicable disease in the country; and
 Poor health affects the quality of labour.

10.6.4.2 Impact on Public Health

The link between transportation and the spread of sexually transmitted

diseases (STI) as well as HIV/AIDS is well documented. Incidences of
STI/HIV/AIDS may increase as a result of setting up construction
camps, and resultant social interaction with local communities. It is
important to note, however, that the modal shift from truck to railway
and pipeline may reduce the cases of STI/HIV/AIDS.

Construction activities have also been associated with increased

transmission of malaria, if NEC project sites are not appropriately
managed, breeding grounds can be created leading to increased
prevalence of mosquitos and therefore potential for transmission. The
presence of external workforces can also contribute to the transmission
of other communicable diseases including TB and respiratory tract
infections.

Those with pre-existing health conditions, the elderly and children are
usually worse affected by any changes in the disease profile in an area
or in changes in access to health care facilities.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

10-22
 10.6.4.3 Mitigation Strategies

Specific measures include:

 Infrastructure projects should be subject to Environmental and

Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) undertaken in line with
international standards such as those of the World Bank or the
International Finance Corporation (IFC). The scope of the ESIA
should always include consideration of health related impacts. For
large Projects this may require that appropriately qualified
international experts are appointed to address impacts on health.

 The development and implementation of HIV/AIDS/malaria

policies and information documents for all workers directly related
to NEC projects. The information document will address factual
health issues as well as behaviour change issues around the
transmission and infection of HIV/AIDS as well as malaria.

 All projects should have a Worker Code of Conduct for all project
personnel that include guidelines on worker-worker interactions,
worker-community interactions and development of personal
relationships with members of the local communities. As part of the
Worker Code of Conduct, all project personnel should be prohibited
from engaging in illegal activities including the use of commercial
sex workers and transactional sex. Anyone caught engaging in
illegal activities will be subject to disciplinary proceedings. If
workers are found to be in contravention of the Code of Conduct,
which they will be required to sign at the commencement of their
contract, they will face disciplinary procedures that could result in
dismissal.

 Working in conjunction with relevant partners (eg health

authorities, NGOs, development agencies), information, education
and communication campaigns around diseases and health practices
should be developed as part of the Master Plan implementation

10.6.5 Insecurity

10.6.5.1 Summary of Applicable Constraints

 The economic growth and development anticipated in Vision 2030

can only be achieved and sustained in a peaceful, stable and secure
environment. In the recent years, there has been a surge of terrorist
attacks in Eastern Africa and Kenya has had a share of these attacks.
Terrorists are motivated to disrupt the economy, to cause personal
injury to concentrations of people, to strike at symbolic targets, and

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

10-23
 transport tools of terror using transport infrastructure. A secure
transportation system is critical to overall national security from
terrorism. There are also instances where intermittent insecurity,
conflicts and tensions occur thereby threatening movement of cargo,
and

10.6.5.2 Insecurity

Security concerns in some sections of the corridor could jeopardize

linking of NEC with the LAPSSET, central corridor and Kampala-Juba-
Addis -Djibouti.

10.6.5.3 Mitigation Strategies

 The successful implementation of the NEC Master Plan Strategies

will require the active participation of the Ministry of Interior and
Coordination of National Government.

10.6.6 Land Acquisition and Resentment

10.6.6.1 Summary of Applicable Constraints

 Resettlement and compensation will be highest especially in Nairobi

and Mombasa Counties, as well as all proposed secondary growth
nodes and identified projects; and

 Speculation may drive the land prices even higher.

10.6.6.2 Land Acquisition and Resettlement

The development of the NEC projects will require changes in existing

land uses which can result in physical and economic resettlement and
changes in social structures of communities. This could be due to either
temporary or permanent land take, where land is required for
infrastructure purposes (for example construction camps, expansion of
railway yards), or where people are required to move out of rights of
way (ROWs) in order to allow infrastructure to be built, or where
additional land is required for a widened ROW. The risk of relocation
and involuntary resettlement is therefore high.

The consequences of acquisition and/or involuntary resettlement are

severe, as they cause major upheavals to livelihoods, loss of income,
loss of property and assets, and social defragmentation.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

10-24
 10.6.6.3 Mitigation Strategies

As part of capacity development, JST have already identified the

following with regards to resettlement and land acquisition:

 Formulation and implementation of a land title management

project to establish a land title database with cadastral map
information, and

 Arrangement of technical assistance for a land acquisition and

resettlement program

In addition:

 Any physical and/or economic resettlement of communities should

be subject to the development of Resettlement Action Plans/
Livelihood Restoration Plans which should be prepared in line with
Kenyan regulations and international best practice as defined by the
World Bank or International Finance Corporation.

 Institutional strengthening and capacity building for agencies across

the NEC who are responsible for promoting and coordinating
commercial developments to ensure that social risks are adequately
understood and addressed through mitigation

 The budgeting process for any of the NEC initiatives must also
include a budget for resettlement and compensation, as these costs
can be quite significant.

10.6.7 Land Use and Settlement Patterns

10.6.7.1 Summary of Applicable Constraints

Implementing the Master Plan Development Strategies could result in

land use conflicts. Use of certain areas/parcels of land such as national
parks, wetlands, protected areas etc., to implement the Development
Strategies will need trade-off with other existing and potential uses (e.g.
developing transport infrastructure in certain sections of the NEC
would require converting agricultural and conservation land for such a
purpose). In sections where conversions of landuse are resisted, land
use conflicts and litigations may occur which can delay and increase the
cost of a project.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

10-25
 10.6.7.2 Land Use and Settlement Patterns

Land uses will be affected by providing or increasing accessibility to

and from activity centres through the opening up of formerly
inaccessible areas. The NEC Master Plan will also lead to redistribution
of metropolitan growth to highway corridors and decentralization of
population and employment.

Settlement patterns have always been affected by the technology

available to the dwellers and especially by methods of transportation.
Along the corridor and around the growth drivers, settlement patterns
will change. The introduction of new roads will attract linear settlement
while primary and secondary cities will lead to clustered settlement
patterns.

10.6.7.3 Mitigation Strategies

 Institutions responsible for land use plans should ensure that they
contain measures relating to infrastructure provision that are robust
and fit for purpose, with a focus on the poorest and most vulnerable
communities

 Avoidance of conservation areas, national parks, wetlands,

protected areas

10.6.8 Urbanisation

10.6.8.1 Summary of Applicable Constraints

Urbanization will encourage rapid inflows of rural populations to

urban areas that give rise to housing problems and the development of
slums. An increase in urban areas will therefore put pressure on
existing water and sanitation facilities and potentially result in
environmental pollution, as well as increased unemployment in urban
areas

10.6.8.2 Mitigation Strategies

 Any physical and/or economic resettlement of communities should

be subject to the development of Resettlement Action Plans/
Livelihood Restoration Plans which should be prepared in line with
Kenyan regulations and international best practice as defined by the
World Bank or International Finance Corporation.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

10-26
  Institutional strengthening and capacity building for agencies across
the NEC who are responsible for promoting and coordinating
commercial developments to ensure that social risks are adequately
understood and addressed through mitigation.

 Regional and/or County Integrated Development Plans (CIDP) to

plan for such urbanisation

10.7 CUMULATIVE SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS

10.7.1 Overview

This Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) has been prepared as per

the ERM Impact Assessment Standard which addresses the evaluation
of cumulative impacts and is based on current international practice
and guidance, specifically:

 European Union (EU), 1999, Guidelines for the Assessment of

Indirect and Cumulative Impacts as well as Impact Interactions,

 Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, 2012, Assessing

Cumulative Environmental Effects under the Canadian
Environmental Assessment Act,

 International Finance Corporation (IFC), 2013, Good Practice

Handbook Cumulative Impact Assessment and Management:
Guidance for the Private Sector in Emerging Markets, and

 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Council on

Environmental Quality (CEQ), 1997, Considering Cumulative
Effects under the National Environmental Policy Act.

Cumulative impacts are those that result from the successive,

incremental, and/or combined effects of an action, project, or activity
when added to other existing, planned, and/or reasonably anticipated
future ones

This cumulative assessment uses five classes to define the resulting

significance of these cumulative impacts. These are described in Table
9.9.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

10-27
Table 10.7 Determining the Effects of Cumulative Impacts

Significance Effect
Severe Effects that the decision-maker must take into account as the
receptor/resource is irretrievably compromised
Major Effects that may become a key decision-making issue
Moderate Effects that are unlikely to become issues on whether the
project design should be selected, but where future work may
be needed to improve on current performances
Minor Effects that are locally significant
Not Effects that are beyond the current forecasting ability or are
Significant within the ability of the resource to absorb such change.

10.7.2 Cumulative Socio-Economic Impacts

Table 10.8 presents the findings of the identification and assessment of

the cumulative environmental effects/impacts of the NEC Master Plan.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

10-28
Table 10.8 Cumulative Socio-Economic Impacts

Cumulative Impacts Primary Impacts Significance

Employme Procur Economy Livelihood Social Public Labour &

nt ement disturbance Health working
conditions
Livelihood
Loss of jobs Moderate
Possibility of high transport costs Minor
Corruption Moderate
Social
Increased pressure on the social
amenities Minor
Deprivation of able-bodied people Moderate
necessary to provide labour and skills
in agriculture
Health
Diseases Minor

Pressure on provision of health Minor

services
Economic
Low production of transportable Moderate
goods
External debt servicing & burden Severe
Labour and working conditions
Insecurity Minor

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

10-29
 11 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

11.1 INTRODUCTION

As discussed in Chapter 2, the overall objective of the Master Plan is to

improve logistics for the NEC as well as to provide an integrated
regional development strategy consistent with sub-regional and
national development plans. Although the proposed NEC development
will certainly result in positive socio-economic impacts, the SEA
assessment has also identified some unforeseen and potentially
significant negative impacts that will need to be addressed, as identified
and discussed in Chapters 9 and 10.

The following Chapter presents the recommended measures to mitigate

these negative environmental and social consequences of implementing
the Master Plan, and also to enhance its positive benefits wherever
possible. It also includes recommendations for strengthening the
institutional and measures and arrangements within the Plan with a
view to enhancing its environmental and social performance overall.

11.2 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

Table 11.1 presents the recommended Environmental and Social

Management Framework (ESMF) for the NEC Master Plan that contains
the strategic level mitigation and enhancement measures for addressing
the biophysical and socio-economic negative impacts that have been
identified in respect to the Plan in Chapters 9 and 10. Table 11.1 also
provides the recommended indicators for monitoring the effectiveness
of these measures and the overall sustainability of the Master Plan.

The measures themselves are not costed, since the vast majority have
already been identified and costed in detail within the Master Plan
itself. Likewise the Master Plan already contains detailed timelines for
their implementation, which are not reproduced here. However, the
ESMF does provide approximate timeframes for the various additional
measures that have been identified. The incremental cost of these SEA
measures is considered to be negligible in comparison to the cost of the
Plan measures themselves.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

11-1
 Table 11.1 Environmental and Social Management Framework

Impact Impact SEA Mitigation Measure Key Indicator Institutions Approximate

Significance Involved timeframe (short,
medium, long
term)

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

11-2
Impact Impact SEA Mitigation Measure Key Indicator Institutions Approximate
Significance Involved timeframe (short,
medium, long
term)
Habitat Alteration Major  Avoiding PAs and other Category A  Number of Human-  MoTI Short term
and Biodiversity (negative) Constraints (see Annex D). This is the key Wildlife Conflict  NEMA
Impacts mitigation measure, and is of paramount Incidents.  KFS
importance given the pressures such areas  Ratio of composite area  KFC
are currently facing given rampant of PAs and sensitive  Kenya Water
urbanisation and unplanned developments. ecosystems in the NEC. Towers
 Where avoidance is unavoidable, consider  Number of species at Agency
offsets risk in the NEC (Species (KWTA)
 Aligning new infrastructure with existing Richness Index).  Water
RoWs or defined corridors.  Species mortality rates. Resources
 Limiting the size of construction RoWs Authority
where possible. (WRA)
 Complying with existing land use and PA  Kenya Marine
management plans. and Fisheries
 Supporting conservation strategies in the Research
NEC. Institute
 Enforcing regulations on transboundary (KMFRI)
movement of species and establishing  Kenya Plant
monitoring systems. Health
 Engaging stakeholders in project design Inspectorate
particularly where constraints are involved. (KEPHIS)
 Phasing construction as to avoid any  Agriculture
sensitive periods. and Food
Authority
(AFA)
 National
Museums of
Kenya (NMK)
 County
Governments
 NEC Projects’
Implementing
Agencies

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

11-3
Impact Impact SEA Mitigation Measure Key Indicator Institutions Approximate
Significance Involved timeframe (short,
medium, long
term)
Air Emissions Moderate  Complying with the Air Quality  Air emissions per  MoTI Short
(negative) Regulations (2014) and emission standards capita.  NEMA
as provided in KS 1515.  GHG emissions per  National
 Using cleaner energy sources and capita. Climate
promoting their use.  Prevalence rates of Change
 Limiting land conversion to only necessary morbidity causes linked Council
areas. to air pollution. (NCCC)
 Managing wastes according to regulations  Concentration of  Department of
in addition to employing the 3Rs to ensure criteria pollutants in the Occupational
they are managed sustainably. NEC. Safety and
 Supporting the development of an air Health (DOSH)
quality baseline through monitoring. (MoLSS&S)
 Supporting climate change response and  County
adaptation strategies as guided by national Governments
strategies.  NEC Projects’
 Promoting resource efficiency programs. Implementing
 Avoiding the use of toxic or hazardous Agencies
materials through engineering design
measures where feasible.
 Monitoring air quality in the target areas of
the NEC Projects.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

11-4
Impact Impact SEA Mitigation Measure Key Indicator Institutions Approximate
Significance Involved timeframe (short,
medium, long
term)
Landscape Minor  Locating infrastructure in compliance with  Ratio of composite  MoTI Short
Modifications (negative) existing land use plans. areas of different land  NEMA
 Complying with ecosystem management covers in the NEC.  KFS
plans of protected areas.  KWS
 Limiting the size of construction RoWs.  County
 Avoiding protected areas and settlements. Governments
 Involving stakeholders in the design phase  NEC Projects’
of projects particularly those located in or Implementing
close to settlements and/or protected areas. Agencies

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

11-5
Impact Impact SEA Mitigation Measure Key Indicator Institutions Approximate
Significance Involved timeframe (short,
medium, long
term)
Impacts on Soils Moderate  Avoidance of areas listed as constraints (see  Amount of soil erosion  MoTI Short
(negative) Chapter 5 and Annex D) loss per year.  NEMA
 Implementing run-off and water  Concentration of  AFA
management measures. pollutants in the soil in  County
 Limiting excavations to only necessary the project target areas Governments
areas. (Soil quality).  NEC Projects’
 Implementing soil conservation strategies in Implementing
areas with high Soil Erosion Potential. Agencies
 Complying with waste management
regulations.
 Complying with regulations and guidelines
on soil conservation such as those provided
by land use plan, ecosystem management
plans and those gazetted by the Agriculture
and Food Authority.
 Supporting other soil conservation and
management strategies in the NEC.
 Completing erosion modelling studies at the
project level and taking necessary action
according to those studies.
 Monitoring soil quality in the target areas of
the NEC Projects.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

11-6
Impact Impact SEA Mitigation Measure Key Indicator Institutions Approximate
Significance Involved timeframe (short,
medium, long
term)
Impacts on Moderate  Avoiding wetlands, water towers,  Concentration of  MoTI Short
Hydrology and (negative) groundwater conservation areas and flood pollutants in water  NEMA
Hydrogeology plains (see Chapter 5 and Annex D). resources (water  WRA
 Implementing water ingress management quality).  KFS
measures as appropriate at the project level.  Ratio of composite area  KWTA
 Controlling run-off from infrastructure and of water bodies in the  County
using sustainable drainage systems (SUDS) NEC. Governments
which mimic or allow natural percolation of  Prevalence rates of  NEC Projects’
water. morbidity causes linked Implementing
 Supporting Integrated Water Resource to water pollution. Agencies
Management Strategies.
 Monitoring water quality in water bodies
that could be affected by the NEC.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

11-7
Impact Impact SEA Mitigation Measure Key Indicator Institutions Approximate
Significance Involved timeframe (short,
medium, long
term)
Risk of Pollution Major  Developing complementary waste  Wastes generated per  MoTI Short
(negative) management facilities including a sanitary capita, per annum and  NEMA
landfill and a hazardous waste disposal per type of waste.  DOSH
facility.  Ratio of waste collected  Ministry of
 Integrating Life Cycle Assessments into the and disposed in Health (MoH)
project level environmental risk regulatory approved  County
management. disposal facilities in the Governments
 Managing wastes (collection, transport and NEC.  NEC Projects’
disposal) in accordance to the provisions of  Amount of waste Implementing
the Waste Management Regulations (2006) generated by the NEC Agencies
and providing adequate equipment and Projects per annum and
facilities to do so. ratio of the amount
 Integrating the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) disposed in approved
of waste management in NEC MP and at the disposal facilities.
project level.  Number of pollution
 Avoiding the use of toxic and hazardous incidences per annum.
substances where possible. Where this won’t  Number of sanitary
be possible they should be manged landfills per capita.
according regulations such as EMCA and  Prevalence rates of
OSHA, as well as industry best practice as morbidity causes
guided by manufacturers of the substances associated with
and institutions such as WHO, FAO and pollution.
International Commission on Non-Ionizing
Radiation Protection amongst others.
 Implementing resource efficiency strategies
at the project level to minimize waste
generation.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

11-8
Impact Impact SEA Mitigation Measure Key Indicator Institutions Approximate
Significance Involved timeframe (short,
medium, long
term)
Natural Resource Major  Integrating Life Cycle Assessment into the  Total energy demand of  MoTI Short
Demand (negative) project level environmental risk the NEC Projects per  NEMA
management. annum.  NEC Projects’
 Complying with regulations governing  Ratio of energy Implementing
resource extraction such as Forests Act obtained from Agencies
(2005), EMCA (2014), Sand Harvesting sustainable sources.  County
Guidelines (2009), Water Resource  Number of Governments
Management Rules (2006) and Water Act transgressions related  Ministry of
(2014) amongst others. to resource extraction Energy and
 Adopting sustainability standards at the regulations. Petroleum
project level such as those pertaining to  WRA
green building and energy efficiency  Ministry of
(LEED). Mining
 Ensuring building materials are sourced
from sustainable sources.
 Implementing demand management and
resource efficiency measures for water,
electricity and materials.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

11-9
Impact Impact SEA Mitigation Measure Key Indicator Institutions Approximate
Significance Involved timeframe (short,
medium, long
term)
Loss of Cultural Major  The presence of cultural heritage should be  Development of a  NMK Long term
Heritage (negative) considered as part of the site selection cultural heritage  MoTI
process for all potential developments in the management plan  NEMA
NEC and a framework for the site selection including a chance  Project
process should be included in the Plan as finds procedure Developers
part of a Cultural Heritage Management  ESIAs (developed to  County
Plan. World Bank/IFC Government
 Incorporation of heritage sites into tourism environmental and
master plans as a way of preserving such social standards)
sites including consideration
 Confirm presence of heritage assets through of cultural heritage.
detailed studies  Reports detailing
 ESIAs to include consideration of cultural approach to managing
heritage and the development of locally important
appropriate mitigation and management cultural heritage and
plans. agreements with the
 In terms of locally important cultural owners of these sites
heritage sites, any loss or alteration to such over change in use.
sites should be consulted on, and agreed,
with the local communities and the
custodians of the site. If necessary,
appropriate rituals should be undertaken to
move the cultural asset, or to otherwise
expiate disturbance or loss of the site

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

11-10
Impact Impact SEA Mitigation Measure Key Indicator Institutions Approximate
Significance Involved timeframe (short,
medium, long
term)
Impact on Major  Conduct ESIA that include consideration of  LRP/RAP conducted  NEMA Long term
Livelihoods (negative) livelihood impacts  Number of ESIA that  Ministry of
 Institutional strengthening and capacity include livelihood Lands
building for agencies across the NEC who impacts  County
are responsible for promoting and Governments
coordinating commercial developments to
ensure that social risks are adequately
understood and addressed through
mitigation
Rural-Urban Major  Conduct ESIA that include consideration of  % increase in number of  County Long term
Migration (negative) rural-urban migration young people living Governments
 Ensuring that rural-urban migration is and working in rural  NEMA
updated in County Integrated Development areas
Plans (CIDP) as well as Urban Master Plans.  High urban population
 Number of ESIA that
include rural-migration
impacts

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

11-11
Impact Impact SEA Mitigation Measure Key Indicator Institutions Approximate
Significance Involved timeframe (short,
medium, long
term)
Public Health Minor  Conduct ESIA that include consideration of  Number of ESIA that  Ministry of Long term
(negative) health impacts include health impacts Health
 Develop and implementation of  Number of NEC  NEMA
HIV/AIDS/malaria policies and projects that have  County
information documents for all workers HIV/AIDS/malaria Government
directly related NEC projects policies  Local NGOs
 Working in conjunction with relevant  Number of NEC and
partners (eg health authorities, NGOs, projects that have development
development agencies), information, worker code of conduct agencies
education and communication campaigns
around diseases and health practices should
be developed as part of Plan,
implementation.
Insecurity Minor  Capacity building for security agencies  Number of security  Ministry of Long term
(negative) workers trained and Interior and
number equipment Coordination
of National
Government.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

11-12
Impact Impact SEA Mitigation Measure Key Indicator Institutions Approximate
Significance Involved timeframe (short,
medium, long
term)
Land Acquisition Major  Formulation and implementation of a land  Number of RAP/LRP  Ministry of Long term
and Resettlement (negative) title management project to establish a land conducted within the Lands
title database with cadastral map NEC  MoT&I
information, and  County
 Arrangement of technical assistance for a Government
land acquisition and resettlement program  NLC
 Any physical or economic resettlement be  KNHCR
subject to RAP/LRP
 Institutional strengthening and capacity
building for agencies across the NEC who
are responsible for promoting and
coordinating commercial developments to
ensure that social risks are adequately
understood and addressed through
mitigation
 The budgeting process for any of the NEC
initiatives must also include a budget for
resettlement and compensation, as these
costs can be quite significant.
Land Use and Moderate  Proper land use planning & appropriate  Land use land cover  County Long term
Settlement (negative) settlement patterns within Urban Master change and change in government
Patterns Plans/CIDP settlement patterns  Ministry of
 Avoidance of conservation areas, national Lands
parks, wetlands, protected areas  NLC
 KNHCR

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

11-13
Impact Impact SEA Mitigation Measure Key Indicator Institutions Approximate
Significance Involved timeframe (short,
medium, long
term)
Urbanisation Moderate  Modification of urban development process  Rapid urbanisation,  County/Natio Medium term
through zoning and urban planning urban sprawl and nal
urban decay Government
 NLC
Land Tenure Minor  Proper assignment of land rights  Change in ownership  Ministry of Medium term
rights of land Land
 Formulation and  NLC
implementation of a  County
land title management Government
project to establish a
land title database with
cadastral map
information
 Resettlement Action
Plans/ Livelihood
Restoration Plans
should be prepared in
line with national
regulations and
international best
practice (e.g. the World
Bank or International
Finance Corporation)
for all resettlement
activities, without
exception.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

11-14
 11.3 ORGANISATIONAL AND POLICY STRATEGY

11.3.1 Regional Coordination for Logistics Improvement

As per JST’s (2016) recommendation, the organisational and regulatory

framework for logistics and multi-modal transportation needs to be
established at the regional level.

So far, regional coordination for planning and monitoring of the NEC in

both Kenya and Uganda has been carried out by the Northern Corridor
Transit and Transport Coordination Authority (NCTTCA), while
regional coordination mechanisms and private sector involvement has
been developed through the Northern Corridor Integration Projects
(NCIP).

Figure 11.1 below illustrates a potential national and regional

institutional framework for both logistics promotion and multimodal
transport.

Figure 11.1 Proposed Institutional Framework for Logistics Promotion and

Multimodal Transport

Source: JST 2016

11.3.2 Proposed Organisational Framework

If the Master Plan is approves and implementation commences, there

must be a monitoring and evaluation mechanism. JST (2016)
recommend that under the initiative of MoTI, a taskforce be established
to cover the various ministries and agencies in charge of transport,
finance, trade, industry, agriculture, mining, energy, water as well as
the private sector and NCTTCA. It is recommended that the taskforce
be maintained after the JICA study as a further monitoring and
implementation mechanism (see Figure 11.2).

It is however recommended, that for this taskforce to be effective, it

would have to be bestowed with an appropriate mandate, be

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

11-15
 sufficiently funded, supported by technical staff and should comprise
of key policy makers from the respective sectors.

Figure 11.2 Proposed Organisational Structure

Source: JST 2016

11.3.3 Inter-Governmental Coordination (Local, Regional and National

Level)

Intra-governmental coordination (i.e. between different levels of

government) will be hampered in the absence of the appropriate
coordination mechanisms.
To that end, the various countries traversed by the NEC will have to
cooperate with the National Government and, the National
Government in turn would have to cooperate with other national
governments in the region such as Uganda, Rwanda, Southern Sudan
and DRC.

Future County Integrated Development Plans (CIDP) would have to be

harmonized with that of NEC Master Plan goals and objectives, while
the Master Plan goals and objectives would have to be sensitive to
national policies and plans of Counties expected to use the NEC for
their exports and imports.

Consequently two additional mechanisms to the national inter-sectorial

coordination agency would have to be put in place: one at county and

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

11-16
the other at regional levels to coordinate implementation of Master
Plan.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

11-17
12 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

12.1 INTRODUCTION

This SEA Report is an independent assessment submitted to the

National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), to enable the
Authority to make an informed decision in accordance with the
Environmental Management and Coordination Act, 1999 (EMCA) as
well as the National Guidelines for SEA in Kenya (2012).

Through the SEA process, which included various stakeholder input,

ERM has identified and assessed a number of potential impacts relating
to the NEC Master Plan. This Chapter therefore provides an overview of
the SEA findings and makes recommendations regarding key
mitigation measures.

The potential impacts associated with the Master Plan are summarised
below and should be considered both in the context of the Master Plan
rationale as well as in the discussion of cumulative impacts.

12.2 CONCLUSION

12.2.1 Environmental and Social Sensitive Features

This SEA study identifies environmental and social sensitive features as

constraints and classed them into three categories, representative of
their sensitivity or mitigation requirement. These are low, moderate
and high constraints in order of increasing sensitivity.

Table 12.1 and Table 12.2 provide a summary listing of the specific
features comprising each environmental and socio-economic constraint
category respectively.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

12-1
Table 12.1 Summary of Environmental Constraints

Subject Low Moderate High

Physical  Faults  Active Volcanoes  Rift Valley Crossings
 Mountains and  Lakes  Water production areas
Extinct/Inactive Volcanoes  Flood Prone Areas  Rivers
 Seismic Zones/Epicentres of (Flood plains)  Groundwater Conservation Areas
Past Earthquakes  Soil Erosion Prone
Areas
Biological  Private Reserves and Ranches  Wetlands  Ramsar Sites
 Community Conservancies  National Parks  UNESCO World Heritage Sites
 Endemic Bird Areas (Chyulu Hills,  UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserves
 Eastern Afromontane Longonot, Ol Doinyo  National Parks (Aberdares, Hell's Gate, Lake
Biodiversity Hotspots Sabuk and Tsavo East) Nakuru, Mount Elgon, Nairobi and Tsavo
Terrestrial Key Biodiversity  National Reserves West)
Areas (Mau Narok-Molo (Ngai Ndethya Game  National Reserves (Shimba Hills and Lake
Grasslands and Kinangop Reserve, Kakamega Bogoria)
Grasslands) and Kerio Valley)  Marine National Parks
 Transboundary Resources  Marine National  Wildlife Sanctuaries (Taita Hills Wildlife
(Lake Victoria Catchment and Reserves Sanctuary and Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary)
The Western Indian Ocean)  Wildlife Sanctuary  Forest Reserves (Nairobi Region, Kikuyu
(Mwaluganje Elephant Escarpment, Aberdares Ecosystem, Mau
Sanctuary) Escarpment (Mau Forest Complex) and
 Forest Reserves Cherangani Hills Forests)
(Coastal Zone (East  Important Bird Areas
African Coastal  Alliance for Zero Extinction Sites
Forests), Eastern  Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot
Region, North Rift Terrestrial Key Biodiversity Areas (Lake
Valley and Western Bogoria NR, Aberdare Mountains, Kikuyu
Region Forests) Escarpment Forest, Mau Forest Complex, Taita
 Nature Reserves Hills Forests, Cherangani Hills, South Nandi
 Locally Managed Forest, Lake Ol' Bolossat, Chyulu Hills and

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

12-2
Subject Low Moderate High
Marine Areas Mount Elgon (Kenya))
 Eastern Afromontane  Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspots
Biodiversity Hotspot Freshwater Key Biodiversity Areas
Terrestrial Key  Mangrove Forests
Biodiversity Areas  Coral Reef
(Mukurweini Valleys)  Sea Turtle Nesting Sites
 Eastern Afromontane  Transboundary Resources (Mt Elgon
Biodiversity Hotspot Ecosystem, Sio-Siteko Wetland and Tsavo
Biodiversity Corridors West-Mkomazi Ecosystem)
 Sandy Beaches

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

12-3
Table 12.2 Summary of Social Constraints

Subject Low Medium High

Social -  Rural areas are deprived of labour in  Public health issues include:
agricultural sector leading to decline or poor access to primary health
slow growth of agricultural output; and care, high mortality rates, the
families and cultural bonds break or prevalence of communicable
weaken as the population moves to the disease in the country and low
urban areas, and staffing of doctors and nurses
 As the population moves to the urban  There has been a surge of
areas, unemployment increases, crime terrorist attacks in Eastern
rates rise, slums or shanties develop and Africa. A secure transportation
social services become inadequate. system is critical to overall
national security from terrorism.
There are also instances where
intermittent insecurity, conflicts
and tensions occur thereby
threatening movement of cargo
Cultural - -  Along the NEC there are a
number of archaeological sites
that have to be preserved.
Development of the NEC
transport infrastructure is likely
to disturb or disrupt these.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

12-4
Subject Low Medium High
Economic  Implementation of the Development  Not all regions within the NEC produce  Corruption will thus adversely
Strategies requires a lot of funds which adequate cargo necessary to sustain the affect implementation of the
Kenya may not have or have in limited transport infrastructure. The strategies by making
amounts. Even when funds are undeveloped areas need to be developed infrastructure project expensive,
available, the Government would have before they can produce goods for delay or, even fail. A country
to prioritize its expenditure among handling by the transport modes. suffering from corruption cannot
competing interests. Funding can limit Developing underdeveloped regions implement sound plans and thus
the Government to spend money on big requires a lot of resources to be is not expected to benefit from
infrastructure projects. dedicated to these regions before they sustainable development despite
 The implementation of government may be able to produce more goods embarking upon economic
major projects and programs largely  Recent experiences show that Kenya’s growth from time to time for
depends on the political willingness of economic growth rate has been some reason or the other.
the government of the day. There are fluctuating, giving the impression that
many experiences in Kenya where good economic growth is not steadily
plans have been shelved or postponed occurring. In situations where the actual
or overtaken by time for lack of political economic growth rates fall below the
will. This is because prioritizing of planned rates (at an average annual
national projects is not only economic growth rate of 6.6%) as envisaged by the
but also a political decision Master Plan, implementation of the
 The successful implementation of the development strategies would be slowed
NEC Master Plan Strategies will require down, delayed, or even frustrated
the active participation of other
government agencies that have
different mandates, policies, programs
and plans to be effectively coordinated.
Failure or absence of such mechanism
would result into inter agency conflicts,
competition, and duplication of efforts
and a waste of resources.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

12-5
Subject Low Medium High
Urban/Physical -  Urbanization will encourage rapid  Resettlement and compensation
Planning inflows of rural populations to urban will be highest in Nairobi and
areas that give rise to housing problems Mombasa Counties and
and the development of slums. An speculation may drive the land
increase in urban areas will therefore put prices even higher
pressure on existing water and sanitation
facilities and potentially result in
environmental pollution, as well as
increased unemployment in urban areas
 Implementing the Master Plan
Development Strategies could result in
land use conflicts.
 Use of certain areas/parcels of land to
implement the Development Strategies
will need trade-off with other existing
and potential uses e.g. developing
transport infrastructure in certain
sections of the NEC would require
converting agricultural and conservation
land for such a purpose.
 In sections where conversions are
resisted, land use conflicts and litigations
may occur which can delay and increase
the cost of a project

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

12-6
12.2.2 Key Impacts and Mitigation Measures

Table 12.3 below provides a summary of the key environmental and

social impacts as well as mitigation measures identified during the SEA
Study.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

12-7
Table 12.3 Key Environmental and Social Impacts and Mitigation Measures

Impacts Mitigation Measure

Environmental
Habitat Alteration and  Avoiding Protected Areas,
Biodiversity Impacts  Aligning new infrastructure with existing RoWs or defined corridors,
 Limiting the size of construction RoWs where possible, and
 Complying with existing land use and PA management plans
Air Emissions  Complying with the Air Quality Regulations (2014) and emission standards as provided in
KS 1515,
 Using cleaner energy sources and promoting their use,
 Limiting land conversion to only necessary areas, and
 Managing wastes according to regulations in addition to employing the 3Rs to ensure they
are managed sustainably.
Landscape Modification  Locating infrastructure with existing land use plans,
 Complying with ecosystem management plans of protected areas,
 Limiting the size of construction RoWs, and
 Avoiding protected areas and settlements
Soil  Limiting excavations to only necessary areas,
 Implementing soil conservation strategies in areas with high Soil Erosion Potential,
 Complying with waste management regulations,
 Complying with regulations and guidelines on soil conservation such as those provided by
land use plan, ecosystem management plans and those gazetted by the Agriculture and
Food Authority, and
 Implementing run-off and water management measures
Hydrology and Hydrogeology  Avoiding wetlands, water towers, groundwater conservation areas and flood plains,
 Implementing water ingress management measures as appropriate, and
 Controlling run-off from infrastructure and implementing sustainable drainage systems
(SUDS) which mimic or allow natural percolation of water.

Pollution  Developing complementary waste management facilities including a sanitary landfill and a
hazardous waste disposal facility,

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

12-8
Impacts Mitigation Measure
 Integrating Life Cycle Assessments into the project level environmental risk management,
 Managing wastes (collection, transport and disposal) in accordance to the provisions of the
Waste Management Regulations (2006) and providing adequate equipment and facilities to
do so, and
 Integrating the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) of waste management in NEC MP and at the
project level.
Natural Resource Demand  Integrating Life Cycle Assessment into the project level environmental risk management,
 Complying with regulations governing resource extraction such as Forests Act (2005),
EMCA (2014), Sand Harvesting Guidelines (2009), Water Resource Management Rules
(2006) and Water Act (2014) amongst others,
 Adopting sustainability standards at the project level such as those pertaining to green
building and energy efficiency (LEED),
 Ensuring building materials are sourced from sustainable sources, and
 Implementing demand management and resource efficiency measures for water, electricity
and materials.
Accidents  Complying with industry guidelines and regulations in the design of infrastructure,
 Implementing and supporting programs to ensure vehicles and crafts are maintained to
regulatory approved standards,
 Implementing and supporting programs that ensure drivers and pilots are adequately
trained to operate their respective vehicles and crafts,
 Implementing and supporting programs aimed at raising public awareness in the pertinent
industries, and
 Developing project level emergency/disaster preparedness and response plans.
Spills  Developing project level emergency/disaster preparedness and response plans as well as
spill contingency plans and providing resources to respond to spills,
 Complying with the National Oil Spill Response Plan by integrating its provisions to any
project level contingency plans,
 Implementing and supporting monitoring programs at the project level,
 Providing training to project staff on spill prevention and management, and
 Adhering to industry guidelines on the design and maintenance of any fluid storage,
loading and conveyance equipment and infrastructure.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

12-9
Impacts Mitigation Measure
Natural Hazard  Avoiding construction in flood plains in line with industry guidelines,
 Integrating considerations for seismicity in the engineering design of infrastructure in
seismically active areas,
 Complying with industry guidelines for the design and maintenance of dams such as those
published by the International Commission for Large Dams (ICOLD),
 Avoidance of fault zones,
 Incorporating landslide prevention measures for any construction in landslide prone areas,
 Implementing and supporting disaster/emergency preparedness and response plans and
programs at the project level,
 Implementing and supporting programs aimed at raising personnel and public awareness
on potential hazards, and
 Integrating the provisions of the National Disaster Response Plan into project level
disaster/emergency preparedness and response plans, and coordinating with the pertinent
authorities.
Socio-Economic
Loss of Cultural Heritage  The presence of cultural heritage assets would need to be confirmed in detailed studies
associated with each potential project; this could influence the design and location of
infrastructure, commercial enterprises and industrial facilities.
 Incorporation of heritage sites into tourism master plans as a way of preserving such sites
 Projects associated with the construction and operation of infrastructure should be subject
to Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) commensurate with the scale of the
project and impacts which includes consideration of cultural heritage and the development
of appropriate mitigation and management plans.
 In terms of locally important cultural heritage sites, any loss or alteration to such sites
should be consulted on, and agreed, with the local communities and the custodians of the
site. If necessary, appropriate rituals should be undertaken to move the cultural asset, or to
otherwise expiate disturbance or loss of the site.
 A framework “chance finds procedure” should be developed to support the Master Plan
which involves and references all relevant ministries, other agencies and major cultural
heritage stakeholders in the country. The framework procedure should be deployed within
the construction and management planning for all developments implemented under the

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

12-10
Impacts Mitigation Measure
auspices of the Plan.
Livelihood  Institutional strengthening and capacity building for agencies across the NEC who are
responsible for promoting and coordinating commercial developments to ensure that social
risks are adequately understood and addressed through mitigation
Rural Urban Migration  Infrastructure projects should be subject to Environmental and Social Impact Assessment
(ESIA) undertaken in line with international standards such as those of the World Bank or
the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The scope of the ESIA should always include
consideration of rural – urban migration.
 Urban development plans / CIDP should also cater for rural-urban migration.
Public Health  Infrastructure projects should be subject to Environmental and Social Impact Assessment
(ESIA) undertaken in line with international standards such as those of the World Bank or
the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The scope of the ESIA should always include
consideration of health related impacts. For large Projects this may require that
appropriately qualified international experts are appointed to address impacts on health.
 The development and implementation of HIV/AIDS/malaria policies and information
documents for all workers directly related NEC projects. The information document will
address factual health issues as well as behaviour change issues around the transmission
and infection of HIV/AIDS as well as malaria.
 All projects should have a Worker Code of Conduct for all project personnel that include
guidelines on worker-worker interactions, worker-community interactions and
development of personal relationships with members of the local communities. As part of
the Worker Code of Conduct, all project personnel should be prohibited from engaging in
illegal activities including the use of commercial sex workers and transactional sex.
Anyone caught engaging in illegal activities will be subject to disciplinary proceedings. If
workers are found to be in contravention of the Code of Conduct, which they will be
required to sign at the commencement of their contract, they will face disciplinary
procedures that could result in dismissal.
 Working in conjunction with relevant partners (eg health authorities, NGOs, development
agencies), information, education and communication campaigns around diseases and
health practices should be developed as part of the Master Plan implementation
Insecurity  The successful implementation of the NEC Master Plan Strategies will require the active

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

12-11
Impacts Mitigation Measure
participation of the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government.
Land Acquisition and  Formulation and implementation of a land title management project to establish a land title
resettlement database with cadastral map information, and
 Arrangement of technical assistance for a land acquisition and resettlement program
 Any physical and/or economic resettlement of communities should be subject to the
development of Resettlement Action Plans/ Livelihood Restoration Plans which should be
prepared in line with Kenyan regulations and international best practice as defined by the
World Bank or International Finance Corporation.
 Institutional strengthening and capacity building for agencies across the NEC who are
responsible for promoting and coordinating commercial developments to ensure that social
risks are adequately understood and addressed through mitigation
 The budgeting process for any of the NEC initiatives must also include a budget for
resettlement and compensation, as these costs can be quite significant.
Land use and settlement  Institutions responsible for land use plans should ensure that they contain measures
pattern relating to infrastructure provision that are robust and fit for purpose, with a focus on the
poorest and most vulnerable communities
 Avoidance of conservation areas, national parks, wetlands, protected areas
Urbanisation  Any physical and/or economic resettlement of communities should be subject to the
development of Resettlement Action Plans/ Livelihood Restoration Plans which should be
prepared in line with Kenyan regulations and international best practice as defined by the
World Bank or International Finance Corporation.
 Institutional strengthening and capacity building for agencies across the NEC who are
responsible for promoting and coordinating commercial developments to ensure that social
risks are adequately understood and addressed through mitigation
 Regional and/or County Integrated Development Plans (CIDP) to plan for such
urbanisation
Land tenure  Formulation and implementation of a land title management project to establish a land title
database with cadastral map information.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

12-12
12.3 RECOMMENDATIONS

12.3.1 Recommended PPP Changes

Intra-governmental coordination for the implementation of the NEC

(i.e. between different levels of government) will be hampered in the
absence of the appropriate coordination mechanisms.

To that end, the various countries traversed by the NEC will have to
cooperate with the National Government and, the National
Government in turn would have to cooperate with other national
governments in the region such as Uganda, Rwanda, Southern Sudan
and DRC.

Future County Integrated Development Plans (CIDP) would have to be

harmonized with that of NEC Master Plan goals and objectives, while
the Master Plan goals and objectives would have to be sensitive to
national policies and plans of Counties expected to use the NEC for
their exports and imports.

Consequently two additional mechanisms to the national inter-sectorial

coordination agency would have to be put in place: one at county and
the other at regional levels to coordinate implementation of Master
Plan.

12.3.2 Recommended Alternatives(s)

As discussed in Chapter 7, the Multi-Core with Regional Industrial

Development Type alternative aims at balanced growth and efficient
logistics in the NEC region by promoting urban functions of 18
Secondary Cites, including 6 Secondary cum Regional Production
Centres (see Figure 0.3).

This alternative promotes:

 decentralizing urban functions to Secondary Cities,
 the urbanization of Secondary Cities and the concentration of
population on them from surrounding regions,
 regional production centres, as demand for commercial and
services in urban area (which results from surrounding regional
area) will promote the demand of Secondary Cities.

These Secondary Cities will serve as regional urban centres supplying

urban services and logistics hub connecting Regional Production

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

12-13
 Centres and Primary Cities as consumption areas. In this alternative,
the involvement of local Government is also essential.

It is important to note however, this structure plan requires more public

engagement and management capacity for urban management and
development control to avoid unnecessary development.

This is the preferred alternative because it is consistent with Vision

2030, the MoTI Strategic Plan and the goals of the Master Plan, which
are to improve logistics for the NEC as well as provide an integrated
regional development strategy consistent with sub-regional
development plans and national development plans.

Figure 12.1 Alternative C: Multi-Core with Regional Industrial Development Type

Source: JST, 2016

12.3.3 Subsequent Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for NEC

Projects

JST has proposed 119 projects for the development of the NEC (see
Annex C) in both Kenya and Uganda. The potential impacts of these
projects have been discussed in Chapters 9 and 10 of this Report, and
are within the following sectors:

 road
 railway
 border posts
 port, airport, and inland way
 logistic hub
 oil and mining

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

12-14
  agriculture and fishery
 manufacturing
 power
 water

It is therefore recommended that these projects be subjected to

Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) in order to:

 identify all potentially project-specific significant adverse

environmental and social impacts of the project and recommend
measures for mitigation;

 gather baseline data to inform the assessment of impacts and to

monitor changes to the environment as a result of each of the
projects as well as evaluate the success of the mitigation measures
implemented; and

 recommend measures to be used to avoid or reduce the anticipated

negative impacts and enhance the positive impacts.
For each project the ESIA should be carried out in line with Kenyan
regulations as well as international best practice as defined by the
World Bank or International Finance Corporation (IFC).

The ESIA reports should also consider environmental impacts and also
include the following socio-economic impacts, where possible:
 cultural heritage,
 loss of livelihoods,
 health, and
 rural – urban migration

It is also recommended that any physical and/or economic resettlement

of communities should be subject to the development of Resettlement
Action Plans/ Livelihood Restoration Plans which should be prepared
in line with Kenyan regulations and international best practice as
defined by the World Bank or International Finance Corporation

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT JST/MOTI

12-15
ERM has 140 offices across the following
Countries worldwide

Argentina
The Netherlands
Australia New Zealand
Belgium Panama
Brazil Peru
Canada Poland
China
Portugal
Colombia
Puerto Rico
France
Germany Romania
Hong Kong Russia
Hungary Singapore
India South Africa
Indonesia South Korea
Ireland
Spain
Italy
Japan Sweden
Kazakhstan Taiiwan
Kenya Thailand
Malaysia United Arab
Mexico Emirates
Mozambique
United Kingdom
ERM’s Nairobi Office
United States of
America
4th Floor, Landmark Office Suites
Vietnam
Laiboni Centre, Lenana Road, Kilimani
PO Box 100798-00101
Nairobi, Kenya
T: +254 20 493 8113/4
M: +254 71 265 0516

ERM’s Cape Town Office

2nd Floor Great Westerford
240 Main Road,
Rondebosch, 7700
Cape Town, South Africa
T:+27 (0) 21 681 5400
F:+27 (0) 21 686 0736

ERM’s Durban Office

Unit 6, St Helier Office Park,
Cnr St Helier & Forbes Drive
Gillitts, 3610
Durban, South Africa
T:+27 (0) 31 767 2080
F:+27 (0) 31 764 3643

ERM’s Johannesburg Office

Building 32, The Woodlands Office Park,
Woodlands Drive,
Woodmead, 2148
Johannesburg, South Africa
T:+27 (0) 11 798 4300
F:+27 (0) 11 804 2289

www.erm.com

ERM consulting services worldwide www.erm.com