RONGAI VALLEY 



nn HE Rongai Valley, in the Naivasha Province, situation. 



situated some 15 to 20 miles north of Nakuru, at 

 an altitude of 5,500 feet, is composed of undulating 

 plains, lightly covered in places with thorn trees. 

 The district is extremely healthy, and free from 

 malarial fever. 



The soil ranges in many varieties from black soil. 

 cotton to a sandy loam, most of it being of volcanic 

 origin and very fertile. It is easy to work, and as 

 an instance of its fertility the writer may mention that 

 he has seen a field from which eleven crops of maize 

 have been taken in eight years, which is still return- 

 ing 10 bags to the acre without manuring of anv 

 sort. 



The average annual rainfall, taken over the past ci.niATic 

 three years, is 38. 66 inches. The heavy rains last coxditions 

 from March to September; the light rains start in 

 November and finish about the middle of December. 

 The best months for ploughing are May to August, 

 though the work may be carried on all the year 

 round. The average maxinuun temperature is 76.5; 

 average minimum 54.8. The weather conditions may 

 be likened to those of an ideal Enghsh summer. 



The main wagon road runs from Nakuru Station communica- 

 through the centre of the valley; while there is also a tions. 

 branch road to Njoro Station, both of easy gradients. 

 The surveyed route of the proposed Nakuru-Mumias 

 Railway crosses the valley, so that when this line is 

 built most of the farms in the district will be within 

 easy distance of a railway. 



The valley is well watered by the Rongai River, waterways. 

 which, rising in the Elburgon Hills, flows through the 

 centre of the valley; and also by numerous small 

 streams. 



Labour is very plentiful, the supply being drawn labour. 

 from several tribes, notably the Wakikuyu and Kavi- 

 rondo, while in recent years Walumbwa from the Keri- 

 cho district have been supplying an increasing propor- 

 tion, and prospects in this respect leave no cause for 

 complaint. The wages paid are from five to six rupees 

 for Wakikuyu and Walumbwa, and six to eight 

 rupees per month for Kavirondo, with food, equi- 

 valent to a further two rupees. 



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