TITLE: GEOLOGICAL REPORT OF KITHUMBA-KILUNGU AREA.

MAKUENI COUNTY,
REPUBLIC OF KENYA.
AUTHOR: MALIDZO JOSHUA CHIDZUGWE.
COURSE COORDINATORS: GEOL. G. KIANJI, GEOL. A. WASWA, GEOL. A.
WAMUNYU.
COURSE UNIT: SGL 401, GEOLOGICAL FIELD MAPPING.
Abstract.
This geological report gives a detailed geological account of Kilungu area, Kithumba Sub-area,
in Makueni County of the Republic of Kenya. The field mapping exercise was carried out within
a period of 26 days, from 17th August to 11th September, 2014 covering an area of .50Km2 Soil
types, lithological units and geological resources were mapped out in the area by traversing
mainly along road cuttings and river profiles, which were mapped out and represented using
digitized maps. Variations in vegetation (Geo-botany), soil color and characteristics were also
used in noting the changes of the various rock units.
Kilungu-Kithumba area lies within the Neoproterozoic Mozambique Belt in the Eastern Belt
Segment. Several rock lithologies were mapped out in the area that included Metamorphic rocks
such as Granitoid gneiss, Biotite Gneiss, Hornblende-Biotite Gneiss, Quartzo-feldspathic gneiss,
Meta-diorite and Mica schist; Post-igneous rocks comprised of Pegmatites and Quartz vein
intrusions that varied form a few centimeters to several meters across; recent superficial deposits
were mapped in abundance which included Illite, Montomorillonite, Kaolinite, laterites and
alluvial sand deposits. Rock samples were collected for mineralogical analysis of the present
elements of the rock chemistry through thin-section investigation. Soil colors were quite
distinctive across the hills in the region displaying sharp boundaries of the different soil types,
this exemplified the various stages of weathering the parent rocks underwent. The soils were
noted to also favor the growth of particular tree species, this was attributed to elemental
dispersion in the region due to weathering and soil formation.
Structural features that were observed included Boudinage structures, Pegmatites and Quartz
vein intrusions, lineations, foliation planes, various types of joints, different types of joints such
as Isoclinal, Chevron, Asymmetrical and Symmetrical folds and Ptygmatic folds. These were
mainly metamorphic rock-oriented structural features. Sedimentary features included an
admixture soil profiles, mud cracks and Oligomictic conglomerates.
Economic aspects of the various lithological units were noted and also how the locals use them
for their day-to-day activities. Possible quantification was done to establish the extent of the
possible economically viable economic minerals and deposits. This was achieved through the
field mapping of the Kilungu-Kithumba area. The rock units and economic deposits and minerals
were then represented in digitized maps. Applied geology (Medical geology, Engineering
geology and Environmental geology) is also discussed in great detail concerning the Kilungu-
Kithumba area.