8 (No. 96 GEOGRAPHY : EAST AFRICA

1

i

exist , as in Jubaland the lesser rains fall somewhat earlier, while in the Nyanza Province, at the other extremity of the country, they are almost continuous from March to December.

In the southern coastal districts there is a high but irregular rainfall, which varies between 45 and 70 in. ( 1,140 and 1,780 mm . ) . A considerable rainfall, about 30-70 in . (760-1,780 mm .), prevails in the lake shore district, and also in the Kikuyu and Kenya districts. The rainfall of the central highland region is irregular, and varies between 25 and 50 in . (635 and 1,270 mm .).

The regions of smallest rainfall are the southern plains, the Rift valley north of Lake Baringo, the Laikipia plateau, and the districts south and east of Lake Rudolf.

.

1

(4) SANITARY CONDITIONS Owing to the high elevation and consequent temper ate climate of the central parts of the territory, the Protectorate is more suitable for European residence than any other part of tropical Africa. Moreover, the coastal regions, with the exception of the district immediately north of the River Umba,compare favour ably with other African coast-lands, Kismayu in particular being fairly healthy.

Malaria is , however, very prevalent, and appears to be increasing in highland districts, such as Naivasha, where it was at first unknown. Blackwater fever, a common sequel of neglected malaria, also causes some mortality, and dysentery is on the increase;there is

much enteric, due probably to the pollution of the water supply of the towns. Measures are being taken to remove this source of infection at Kisumu, Nakuru and Mombasa .

Plague, both bubonic and pneumonic, frequently occurs in different parts of the Protectorate . It is endemic on the shore of Victoria Nyanza and is fairly

common in the Asiatic quarter of Nairobi. It also occurs on the coast, especially at Mombasa.