Kenya

Screening process
Strictly speaking, screening is not a requirement for SEA, since the document advising it (EIA guidelines and administrative procedures, 2003) is not legally binding. There are no screening prescriptions in the regulation. The EIA guidelines suggest that SEA screening follow the EIA screening process, meaning that an initial assessment of the environmental consequences be prepared. On the basis of this report, it can then be decided if a full SEA is required.

Timeline Screening
Not specified

Identification of stakeholders
There are no prescribed approaches for identifying stakeholders at the screening stage. The guidelines do suggest that plan objectives are determined here, in consultation with the public.

Setting SEA objectives
The guideline addresses plan objectives, and states that these should be set in consultation with the government authority under which the policy, program or plans falls as well as with the public. Additionally, the EIA guidelines suggest that the objectives of the plan should be reviewed against the relevant national, regional, or local environmental action plans. SEA objectives are not separately mentioned.

Scoping process
There are no scoping requirements in the regulation. The EIA guidelines, however, suggest that scoping take place, following logically from the initial assessment during the screening stage. The lead agency is responsible for this process. It should prepare a scoping document, consult on this document, and submit the final version to NEMA.

Participation in scoping
The EIA guidelines advise that the public should be widely consulted during scoping for an SEA. The lead agency is advised to undertake this consultation.
The scoping report is supposed to:

• Identify key environmental issues;
• Identify the scale/ level of SEA based on the nature of proposal;
• Define spatial and temporal boundaries;
• Identify agencies to be consulted including the various decision-making authorities;
• Contain a Terms of Reference for the SEA.

Baseline data
The EIA guidelines prescribe that SEA baseline data on the physical environment, biological conditions, social economic conditions and health should be collected.

Alternatives
Both the EIA regulation and EIA guidelines prescribe that alternatives should be addressed in an SEA.

Assessment/mitigation of effects
The EIA guidelines suggest that impacts should be assessed by determining the magnitude and significance of the potential impacts both qualitatively and quantitatively. It is also suggested that the sensitivity of the affected environment and the carrying capacity of the area should be considered.

Content of SEA report
The prescriptions for the content of the SEA differ between the regulations and the guideline.

The EIA regulation (43 (1) prescribes the content of the SEA report as follows:

1. The title of the report;
2. A summary of the potential significant impacts of a proposed policy,
   programme or plan;
3. Potential opportunities to promote or enhance environmental
   conditions;
4. Recommendations for mitigating measures;
5. Alternative policy, programme or plan options to ensure compliance with the Act.

In addition, the regulation gives content prescriptions for the proposed policy, plan or programme document. The plan documents have to include the SEA as outlined above, as well as additional environmental assessment aspects, including:

6. The purpose and rational of the policy, programme or plan taking into consideration socio-economic, environmental and cultural issues;
7. Alternatives and strategies of the policy, programme or plans;
8. Areas and sectors affected by the policy, programme, plan, or proposed activities
9. An environmental analysis, covering:

• Baseline information focusing on areas potentially affected:
• Relevant legislative framework and related policy documents:
• A summary of views of key stakeholders consulted:
• Predicted impacts of the policy, programme or plan;
• Alternative policy options and comparison against environmental indicators;
• Ongoing projects and how they fit in the proposed policy, programme or plan;
• Recommendations outlining suggested policy changes, oroposed mitigation measures, strategic environment assessment, and relevant technical appendices such as stakeholders meetings referred to in the assessment.

Finally, the EIA guidelines advises an SEA report that combines these elements, and adds an environmental management plan, as well as an explanation of how the SEA was undertaken.

Review process
The regulation does not set out how review should take place. The guideline suggests that SEAs are reviewed by NEMA. NEMA will distribute the SEA to relevant agencies and other stakeholder, and collect their comments. NEMA will also set up a special review committee for this purpose.

Participation in review
According to the guideline relevant stakeholders and agencies can be asked by NEMA to comment on the SEA.

Timeline review
There is no timeline provided in the regulation, the guideline states that within three months of receiving the SEA report NEMA shall give her decision on the SEA. It is possible to extend this timeline, if mutually agreed with the party involved.

SEA and planning decision-making
Recommendations are presented as part of the final SEA report and plan and include: Recommendations for policy changes, identification of mitigation measures.

There are no clear provisions for integrating SEA results into the planning and decision making process. The EIA regulation does instruct that SEA is used to determine which policies, plans and programmes are the most environmental friendly and cost effective when implemented individually or in combination with others.
It is not clear if an SEA approval is required before a plan is adopted.

Monitoring and evaluation
There are no specifically binding provisions requiring monitoring of implementation of the proposed policy, program or plan. The EIA guidelines mention that an Environmental Management Plan should be included in the SEA report as part of the recommendations to decision makers.