Meru, Kenya
Encyclopedia
Transport
The City of Meru is linked to Nairobi by a paved road, whether from the south around the east side of Mount Kenya, via Embu, or from the northwest around the west and north side of Mount Kenya, via Nanyuki and Timau.An international airport is being built at Isiolo
Isiolo
Isiolo is a town in the Eastern Province, Kenya. It is situated in the Upper Eastern sub-region, and lies 285 kilometres north of Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. The town grew around the local military camps, much of the population being descended from former Somali soldiers who had fought in...
, 35 Kilometres away, via a new tarmac road through Ruiri.
Within the town, the roads have seen a lot of improvement after the maintenance of urban roads was transferred to the Kenya Urban Roads Authority, which in turn setup its Upper Eastern Regional Headquarters in Meru.
The streets have been painted and flowerbeds weeded in preparation of in time for the Kenya Municipal Games held in the City to coincide with The City's centenary celebrations.
Tourism and Hospitality
Meru City is a jumping-off place for SamburuSamburu National Reserve
The Samburu National Reserve is located on the banks of the Ewaso Ng'iro river in Kenya; on the other side of the river is the Buffalo Springs National Reserve in Northern Kenya. It is 165 km² in size and 350 kilometers from Nairobi and ranges in altitude from 800 to 1230m above sea level...
and Buffalo Springs National Reserve
Buffalo Springs National Reserve
Buffalo Springs National Reserve is a protected area in the Isiolo District of Eastern Province, in northern Kenya.-Organization:The reserve was established in 1948 as part of the Samburu - Isiolo Game Reserve, and the present boundaries were established in 1985...
s and Lewa Downs, all some distance north of Meru, with Samburu and Buffalo Springs via Isiolo, and Meru National Park, to the northeast of Meru, via Maua in the Nyambene Hills.
The Meru National Museum is housed in Meru’s first District Commissioner’s Office, that E. B. Horne built.
It is at Rutundu log cabins 20 Kilometre west of Meru City that Prince William proposed to the Duchess of Cambridge. The Meru side of Mt. Kenya National Park has tourist attractions of worth which include Vivvien Falls, Semwe Salt lick, Ithanguni, Lake Alice, Lake Ellis and Sacred Lake.
Meru has fairly good hotels and restaurants. They include:
- Meru County Hotel
- Blue Towers Hotel
- White Star Hotel
- Hotel Three Steers
- Meru Safari Hotel
- Royal Prince Restaurant
- Simba wells
- Brown Rock Hotel
- La Vienna Restaurant
Centre of Commerce
Meru City is the Commercial capital of Northern and Eastern Kenya. It hosts a Central Bank of KenyaCentral Bank of Kenya
The Central Bank of Kenya is Kenya's central bank. The bank is located in Nairobi. The current governor of the bank is Professor Njuguna Ndungu whose appointment took effect from March 4, 2007...
’s Currency Centre serving the North Eastern Half of Kenya. Meru has 22 banks branches. Kenya’s largest Banks, Equity, Barclay and Co-Operative operating two branches each. business, agricultural and educational center for the northeast of Kenya.
Agricultural Centre
Meru City serves as the centre for an important coffee producing area. Virtually all smallholder-grown, much of Meru’s Coffee is shade-grown. Meru's coffee crops come twice a year, corresponding to the two rainy seasons, but the main crop in Meru comes at a somewhat different time than that elsewhere in Kenya, due to different weather patterns on the northeast slopes of Mt. Kenya and the Nyambenene ranges. It is all grown at high-altitudes in the volcanic soils of the district. It is processed by farmers cooperatives which own coffee factories near the farmers, and a regional KPCU coffee warehouse at Mwiteria.Meru serves one of the Kenya’s prime tea producing areas, with three tea factories – Michii Mikuru, Kiegoi - to its North and four – Githongo, Imenti, Kionyo, Weru - to the South
Meru is the prime Miraa (Khat) growing area in Kenya. Many farmers prefer miraa since it is financially lucrative to produce.
Meru Dairy Co-Operative Society’s Dairy Plant is located in the cities Industrial Area. Nubian Foods.
Meru Co-Operative Unions runs a maize milling plant located along Nanyuki Rd.
Educational Center
Meru City is an educational center for the northeast of Kenya.There are primary and secondary schools, including the Meru High School and Kaaga Girls School, two leading Kenyan secondary educational institutions. Emory University has a partnership with the Meru High School to share computers, books, and science equipment in memory of George Brumley. There are also technical schools, the Meru Technical Institute and the Meru College of Technology being the major ones. In addition, there are teacher training colleges and the recently developed Kenya Methodist Universityat Meru, known as KEMU.Kenya Methodist University
With an increased population, rising unemployment of the youth and poor land use in the 1950s,local church leaders came up with the idea of training local people to become self- reliant through training in agriculture, motor mechanics and carpentry. Consequently, a local committee was formed and funds were sought from Christian Aid in Britain through the NCCK to develop a training centre. The Church leaders then approached The Meru Country Council, which then leased 54 acres of forestland close to Kaaga in Miriga Mieru to house the proposed center. In 1956, the ground was cleared and the following year the first physical infrastructure was established comprising a hostel, offices, dinning hall and kitchen, meeting room, three staff houses and two duplexes along with a workshop and animal farm house. In 1958, the Kaaga Rural Training Centre was born for the purpose of training people and providing skills that would promote self-reliance. Kaaga Rural Training Centre and Methodist Training Institute were then consecutively merged to form the basic foundation, in form of physical and other infrastructure in the establishment of Kenya Methodist University.The university was awarded its Charter on June 28th 2006 by His Excellency President Mwai Kibaki.
Other institutions of Higher learning in Meru include:
- Meru University College of Science and Technology
- Meru Technical Training Institute
- Nkabune Technical Institute
- Africa Nazarene University,Meru Campus
- University of Nairobi Extra Mural Centre situated in the Posta Building
- Kenya Institute of Management - Alexander House
- Bugema University,Meru town Campus located within Angaine Plaza
- Mount Kenya University,Nkubu town campus located in Nkubu town
Meru has a number of High Schools of note which have produced a number of leaders in the current government and the Kenyan private sector. These include among others
- Meru School
- Kaaga Girls High School
- Kaaga Boys High School
List of prominent Ameru
- Kiraitu MurungiKiraitu Murungi-Education:Kiraitu Murungi was born on 1 January 1952 in Kionyo village, Abogeta division of Meru District in Central Kenya. He attended Chuka High School before proceeding to Alliance High School. Murungi graduated with a Bachelor of Laws in Nairobi University in 1977 and attained a Master of Law...
, South Imenti ConstituencySouth Imenti ConstituencySouth Imenti is an electoral constituency in Kenya. It is one of three constituencies of Meru Central District. It has eight wards, all of which elect councillors for the Meru Central County Council. The constituency was established for the 1988 elections....
MP and current Minister of Energy, KenyaKenyaKenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. - Francis MuthauraFrancis MuthauraFrancis Kirimi Muthaura is a prominent Kenyan civil servant. Muthaura is a close ally of President Mwai Kibaki. He is the Head of Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet....
, current Head of Public Service & Secretary of the Cabinet, KenyaKenyaKenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. - Peter MunyaPeter MunyaPeter Gatirau Munya is a Kenyan politician. He belongs to the Party of National Unity and was elected to represent the Tigania East Constituency in the National Assembly of Kenya since the Peter Gatirau Munya is a [[Kenya]]n politician...
- Assistant Minister, Ministry of East African Community, Tigania East MP - Japhet Mbiuki Kareke, Currently NithiNithi ConstituencyNithi Constituency is an electoral constituency in Kenya. It is the only constituency in Meru South District. The constituency was established for the 1988 elections. It is among the few constituencies in Kenya that have embraced technology. More information on the constituency can be viewed on the...
MP, and prominent businessman. Operates a fleet of buses and trucks. - Kilemi Mwiria, current member of parliament for Tigani-West and Assistant Minister for High Educational,for lecturer KKU university and UNCEF carriculum developer for Child education in Africa.
- Field Marshal Musa MwariamaMusa MwariamaField Marshal Musa Mwariama is a former leader of the Mau Mau in Meru and the highest ranking Mau Mau who survived the war in the forests and jungles of Central Kenya from its inception to independence without being killed or captured...
, Mau Mau leader - Josphat magiri kibanga, Former chairman of meru central farmers sacco and also a clan elder.
- General Baimunge Marete, Mau Mau leader
- Hon. Justice (Rtd) Aaron RingeraAaron RingeraAaron Gitonga Ringera is a Kenyan lawyer who served as a judge and as the former director of the Kenya Anti Corruption Commission .- Career :...
, once the Director Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC), KenyaKenyaKenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
http://www.kacc.go.ke - Edward H NtalamiEdward H NtalamiEdward Haggai Ntalami is a leading business executive and the former CEO of the Capital Markets Authority , which is an an equivalent of the Securities Exchange Commission in the U.S. or the Financial Services Authority in the UK...
, immediate former Chief Executive, Capital Markets Authority, KenyaKenyaKenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. - David MwirariaDavid MwirariaDavid Mwiraria was the Minister for Environment and Natural Resources previously Finance Minister of Kenya until December 2007 when Kenya held its General Elections...
, former Member of Parliament for the North Imenti ConstituencyNorth Imenti ConstituencyNorth Imenti is an electoral constituency in Kenya. It is one of three constituencies of Meru Central District. The constituency was established for the 1988 elections.- Members of Parliament :- Wards :...
, former Minister for Environment and Natural Resources, former Finance Minister, KenyaKenyaKenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. - Dr. Mzalendo Kibunja,Chairman, National Cohesion and Integration Commission.
- Dr. Cyrus Njiru PhD, MBA, CBS, Permanent Secretary, ministry of Transport
- Samuel KobiaSamuel KobiaRev Dr Samuel Kobia , is a Methodist clergyman and the first African to be elected General Secretary of the World Council of Churches , a worldwide fellowship of 349 global, regional and local churches representing a Christian population of over 590 million people...
, General Secretary of the World Council of ChurchesWorld Council of ChurchesThe World Council of Churches is a worldwide fellowship of 349 global, regional and sub-regional, national and local churches seeking unity, a common witness and Christian service. It is a Christian ecumenical organization that is based in the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland...
(WCC). http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/press_corner/pc_kobiabio.html - Silas MuriukiSilas MuriukiSilas Muriuki Ruteere is a Kenyan politician who is currently a member of the National Assembly of Kenya. Muriuki is the sole representative of the Mazingira Green Party of Kenya and represents the North Imenti constituency....
, currently (since December 2007 election) Member of Parliament (Mazingira Green Party of KenyaMazingira Green Party of KenyaThe Mazingira Green Party of Kenya is a Kenyan Green Party. It was formerly known as Liberal Party of Kenya .At the 1997 Kenyan General Elections LPK fielded a presidential candidate, Wangari Maathai, who later became a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Nevertheless, Maathai was only a minor candidate...
) for the North Imenti Constituency, KenyaKenyaKenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. - Gitobu ImanyaraGitobu ImanyaraGitobu Imanyara is a Kenyan human rights lawyer, journalist, and politician.-Biography:After Imanyara spent more than two years in Maximum Security Prison on charges associated with his work as a human rights lawyer, he founded the Nairobi Law Monthly in 1987...
, current Member of Parliament for Central Imenti ConstituencyCentral Imenti ConstituencyCentral Imenti is an electoral constituency in Kenya. It is one of three constituencies of Meru Central District. It has eight wards, all of which elect councillors for the Meru Central County Council. The constituency was established for the 1988 elections....
, former political activist, former Secretary General of FORD-Kenya - Dr Mawira Fredrick Mate M.B.ChB University of Nairobi, Prominent Medical doctor
- Abdul Rahim Dawood, current councilor for Commercial Word, Meru Municipal Council. Businessman operates petrol stations and hotels.
- Isaac Kaimenyi Ndiira,Retired OCPD and former chief security officer in Mabati Rolling Mills company,a leading iron sheets production company in East and Central Africa.
- Mr. Lenny M.Githinji IT Consultant and currently Chairman Lejan Solutions
- Jackson Harvester Angaine -1900-1999 Former Minister during Kenyatta and Moi Cabinet
- Nteere Mbogori -1934-2008 Former MP North Imenti Constituency,Assistant Minister during Moi regime a seasoned orator, and one of the co-founder of GEMA
- Bishop Lawi Imathiu - former Methodist Presiding Bishop
- Maore Maoka - former Ntonyiri MP
- Geoffrey Muthuri Mathiu , Former Meru School Principal, Director KTDA
- Mr. Justus Tom Ndege Sabari 1946 - 2008. Former Permanent Secretary Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Environment & Natural Resources. Founder member Kenya Methodist University - Meru.
- Martin Muroria,Bsc. - Prominent Computer Engineer & Banker
- Mr Isaac M. M'nkoroi - Contracts and Grants Management Specialist (USAID)
- Arnold Mutuma Mugambi,Bsc,CISA - Systems Executive Mabati Rolling Mills ,a leading iron sheets production company in East and Central Africa.
- Francis Kagwima -Former Tharaka MP and assistant minister for Research,science and Technology
- Dr. Gatumo Nkari-Assistant Director of Veterinary Services and the current Provincial Director of Veterinary Services Coast province
- Dr. Gerrishon Ikiara, CBS, Former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Senior Lecturer, University of Nairobi