Embu County is a county in the Eastern Mt Kenya region in Kenya.[3] As of 2024 its estimated population is 608,599 making it the 37th most populous county in Kenya.[4] The county borders Kirinyaga to the west, Kitui to the east, Tharaka Nithi to the north and Machakos to the south. The county occupies an area of 2,821km2.[5] The county is home to the Aembu and Mbeere ethnic communities, with a smaller Akamba population. Its capital and largest town is Embu, Other urban centers include Runyenjes, Kiritiri and Siakago.
Embu County is one of the most economically stable counties in Kenya. Embu has the highest literacy rate in Kenya (94%)[6] , 5th highest human development index , 7th Largest gdp per Capita and the 4th lowest poverty rates in Kenya. Embu county is divided in 20 electoral wards and 4 constituencies that is Runyenjes, Manyatta , Mbeere North and Mbeere South Constituency .
Embu County has a total population of 608,599 persons of which 304,208 are males, 304,367 females, and 24 intersex persons, and has an average size of 3.3 persons per household.[4]
Religion
St Peters Cathedral In Embu
As of 2019 Christianity is the most dominant religion with 97% adherents . Protestantism is the most dominant denomination of Christianity in Embu County with 37% adherents followed by Catholicism 27% and Evangelical Churches 23% . Islam form a minority of 0.48% and Hindu 0.02%
Embu County is divided into five districts; namely, Embu West with headquarters at Embu town, and Embu North with headquarters at Manyatta. These two form the Manyatta constituency, Embu East with headquarters at Runyenjes, Mbeere North with headquarters at Siakago, and Mbeere South with headquarters at Kiritiri market.
Embu County Monument
The term "Sub County" is envisaged in the County Governments' context where it is synonymous to "Constituencies" and not just administrative areas.
Political Units
Embu County has four parliamentary constituencies, namely Runyenjes, Manyatta, Siakago and Mbeere South.
Embu County(014) elected Cecily Mutitu Mbarire as its governor, after a rigorous campaign and consequent general election in August 2022.[11] Hon. Cecily Mbarire is the second Governor and the First Ever Female Governor of Embu. She is deputised by Hon.Justus Kinyua Mugo. The County assembly of Embu, under Hon. Josiah Murithi Thiriku as the County assembly Speaker, is composed of 30 Members of County Assembly( M.C.A's),20 of whom are duly Elected and 10 Nominated members.
Geography
Physical and Topographic Features
Embu County slopes from North-West towards East and South-East with a few isolated hills such as Kiambere, Kianjiru, and Kiang'ombe which rise above the general height and slope. The county is characterised by highlands and lowlands. It rises from about 515m above sea level at the Tana river basin in the East to over 4,570m above sea in the North West which is part of Mt. Kenya. Embu County is served by six major rivers;for of them, Thũci, Tana, Kiĩ, and Rũvingasĩ which form part of the Embu County's boundaries. The other two rivers are Thiba and Ĩna. All these rivers are perennial. Between Embu town and Thũci River lies an area with an altitude ranging from 910m to 1,525m above sea level. The southern part of the county is covered by Mwea plains. It then rises Northwards, culminating in hills and valleys to the Northern and Eastern parts.[12]
Climatic Conditions
Rain received in the county is largely dependent on the altitude ranging as 640mm to as high as 1,495mm per annum. It has a mean temperature of 21oC. with July being the coldest with a minimum of 12oC and March hitting highest temperature of 31c.[12]
Education and ICT
A polytechnic in Embu County
County has a total of 619 ECD centres of which 399 are private and 220 being public and has total enrolment of 20580 pupils. There are 552 primary schools of which 384 are public and 168 being private schools and has an enrolment of 122710 pupils.[10]
The county was the first to employ early childhood development education teachers in Kenya. Since January 2014, 483 ECDE teachers were employed.[citation needed]There was opening of 10 youth polytechnics: Mutuobare, Mbonzuki, Makawani, Kiamuringa, Munyori, Makima, Kibugu, Kamutu, Muvandori, and Kavutiri. There was also procurement of state of the art equipment of the 32 youth polytechnics in the county. Education Bursary for the needy County students in secondary schools, youth polytechnics, tertiary institutions and universities. The county has advertised for land on which to build youth polytechnics in Nembure, Gitare, Gatumbi and Kithimu. The county is in its final stages of connecting all sub-county headquarters with fibre optic connectivity and putting up digital villages and hot spots. This will largely boost the economy of Embu County by opening up the Local and International markets for all stakeholders especially for farmers to sell their produce online.
Agriculture is the backbone and livelihood of the people of Embu County. The sector employs 70.1 per cent of the population and 87.9 per cent of the households are engaged in Agricultural activities.[14] The upper part of Embu County relies mainly on cash crops such as coffee and tea while the lower part mainly produces cash crops such as miraa(khat) and
Infrastructure and Access
Roads and Airstrips
The county has extensive road network of 2,213.1km of which 167.1km is covered in bitumen and 2046km is just earth.[15]
There are two airstrips in the county, one meant security purposes is located at Don Bosco in Embu town and the other airstrip in Kiambere is used by KENGEN.[10]
Posts and Telecommunications
The posts and telecommunications sector is well developed in Embu County. It has two post offices at Embu and Runyenjes and 13 sub-post offices in major trading centres.
Embu County also has a 98% mobile network coverage.[citation needed]
The county has a health infrastructure consisting of both public and private facilities. It is the host to Embu Provincial General Hospital and three district hospitals; Runyenjes, Siakago and Ishiara. There are also a large number of smaller health facilities across the county. The main aim of health sector is to create an enabling environment for the provision of sustainable quality health care that is affordable and accessible to the residents. The sector comprises Medical Services, Public Health and Sanitation, Research and Development sub-sectors. Embu County has adhered to the Ministry of Health policy by providing subsidized services, which are affordable to the community. There exists a waiver/ exemption system for those who cannot afford minimized user fees. To Improve access and utilization of health services, the county has opened more dispensaries and health centers as a way of rolling out more services to the community. Upgrading the existing facilities to offer expanded services has been in the forefront to meet community needs. Collaborating with other partners to offer more and affordable Health services has been inevitable. Early 2014 the county distributed drugs to all health centers in the county and purchased ambulances to aid the community to easily access health services.
One of the major challenges in Embu County has been the road network which is currently under construction. Major ring-roads connecting major towns are being graded for tarmacking. While other small figure roads have been graded and are being fitted with murram. Access to water for domestic purposes and farming has been a great challenge. However, Embu County has initiated a program dubbed 'Water for Children' which is set to ensure all public institutions i.e. schools, health institutions, bus parks, markets etc. have access to clean water. Already, through this project 6,000 new domestic connections have been made. In addition, through the Ministry of Agriculture in Embu County, new irrigation projects have been started especially drip irrigation which has boosted Agricultural produce in the county. Such irrigation projects are in Mbeere South and Mbeere North constituencies which are the semi-arid areas in Embu County.[citation needed]
Opportunities
Embu County is naturally endowed with plenty of land.[18] It slopes on the Eastern side of Mt.Kenya which is less steep which makes it ideal for fast climbing of Mt. Kenya. It is also ideal for people with disabilities.[citation needed] Five of the seven forks dams are in Embu County and they have been sighted as ideal for water sports such as kayaking.[19] 3,000 acres of land have been set aside for putting up of an industrial park in Machang'a Mbeere South Constituency while Manyatta Constituency will host the Small Medium Enterprise (SME) park. Embu City is in its initial stages of design and construction. Embu County is setting up a talent academy in Embu city and a high altitude training camp in Kigari, Manyatta constituency. Embu County is known for macadamia as it is the largest producer of macadamia in the African Great Lakes. Therefore, the county is putting up a macadamia factory in Manyatta constituency for value addition on the product.
Embu County plans to put up tented camps in Mwea National Reserve. Climbing Mt. Kenya through Embu is easier and faster since the route is less steep therefore the County plans to put up some lodges near this route for Mountain climbers. The county is looking into partnering with investors to put up a planetarium in the area.[20]
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