The Geology of the Suk: Hills (Kenya Colony)

Abstract

The district here included in the name ‘Suk Hills’ forms the north-western corner of Kenya Colony; on the west lies the volcanic chain of the Karamoja region of Uganda, including Mount Elgon, Mount Debasien, and Mount Moroto; on the east are the Suk Plains, bordering the south-western side of the more southerly part of Lake Rudolf (fig. 1, p. 587). It comprises the northern end of the highlands of Cherangani and the Suk Mountains, the continuation of the great scarp which, extending from the Dodinga Hills to the River Turkwal, forms the watershed between Lake Rudolf and the Nile, and maintains an unbroken continuity until it is cut by the celebrated Turkwal Gorge, which allows the head-waters of the Swam, collected on the slopes of Mount Elgon, a passage to Lake Rudolf. On the south the Murun River, part of the system of the We we, deeply incises the northern slopes of the Cherangani Hills. Between the Turkwal and the Murun Rivers rises Sekerr, to a height of 10,910 feet. The general character of this high ground can be illustrated by clenching the right hand, with the exception of the forefinger and thumb. With these two fully extended and the palm of the hand placed downwards on the table, the first joint of the forefinger represents the Turkwal Gorge, the other two joints the Chemerongi or Northern Suk Hills, the clenched knuckles the Cheptulel Escarpment, the back of the hand the Cherangani Hills, and the inner surface of the thumb