The Meru people are said to have arrived to the slopes of the great mountain around 800 years ago coming from the mount Kenya .

According to the inhabitants, migration occurred back and forth throughout the region, and the Meru people should be viewed as a part of the bigger population inhabiting the entire Arumeru District.

Upon arriving at the southeastern slopes of Mount Meru they were met by the hunter-gatherer group called the Koningo whom they absorbed into Meru society.

The wa Meru are known for their intensive livestock keeper.

Upepo wa kisulisuli is named after UMALEE in meru language.