Meru South District
The Meru South District is a district in the province of Eastern in Kenya. The capital is Chuka. In District 1999 205.451 people lived 1,093 km ². Meru South District is divided into five divisions: Mwimbi, Muthambi, Chuka, Magumoni and Igamba Ng'ombe. Until 1997 the area at that Tharaka Nithi District belonged. In 2000, 72 % of the population were below the poverty line.
Topography and Geology
The Meru South District spans from Mount Kenya massif with 5200 m above sea level to the lowlands, which is still 600 m above sea level. Through the region, the rivers flow Thuchi, Ruguti, Tungu, Nithi, South Mara, North Mara and Mutonga, all of which drain into the Tana. The soils in the highlands are mostly of volcanic origin. The hills offer especially Nitisol and Andosol, the plains are mainly found Cambisol and regosol.
Economy
On the red clay soil in the District especially coffee beans and tea are cultivated. Livestock farming is focused on dairy cattle. For personal use, maize, beans, millet, sorghum and beans are mainly grown.
A small fishing industry has established the permanent rivers. This focuses on the fishing of predatory African catfish, trout, carp and tilapia.
Health service
The residents were in 2007 a total of 54 health care facilities available, including five hospitals. At a doctor came in 1300 patients in 2004. The most common diseases in Meru South District are respiratory infections, worm infections and malaria. The HIV prevalence rate in 2007 was at 30 %. Statistical surveys in 2004 showed an infant mortality rate in Meru South District of 7.64 %, neonatal mortality was 14.3 %, while 8.7% of children died before their 5th birthday. The maternal mortality rate was estimated at 12.4%.
Infrastructure
In Meru South District there was only one paved road that almost 35 km long B6 of Thuci after Nkubu in 2007. Five post offices and 86 telephone booths are located throughout the district. 2007 possessed 764 households had a telephone line. With each a branch of the Co -operative Bank of Kenya, Equity Bank and Kenya Commercial Bank residents were in 2007, three bank branches available. In 1999 900 households were connected to the power supply, 94 % of the population gain the needed energy from wood and charcoal., 2007, the district has two small hydropower plants to generate electricity.
In the year, 2007, the District 272 preschool institutions, 230 primary schools, 70 secondary schools and five institutions of higher education. The enrollment rate was 83 %.
Tourism
The tourism industry is focused on climbers and eco-tourists at Mount Kenya massif. In 2005 there were three tourist hotels in the district.
Fauna
In addition to elephants, leopards, giant forest hogs and zebras live mainly in the Mount Kenya Forest steenbok, bushbuck, mountain reedbuck, red river hogs, eland, white-throated monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys and baboons. Rare animals in Meru South District are bongos and black rhinos. As the elephant population at risk is considered.