Embu County is a county of Kenya. The capital of Embu County and the former Eastern province headquarters, Embu is a large and largely metropolitan area with a population of 608,599 persons. The county borders Kirinyaga to the west, Kitui to the east, Tharaka Nithi to the north, Machakos to the south. The county occupies an area of 2,821 km2
Administrative and political units
The county is divided into 5 sub-counties, with a total of 20 county assembly wards, 51 locations and 127 locations.
| Constituency | No.of Wards |
|---|---|
| Manyatta | 6 |
| Runyenjes | 6 |
| Gachoka | 5 |
| Siakago | 3 |
| Total | 20 |
Source
Administrative divisions
| Sub-County | Divisions |
|---|---|
| Embu West | Central |
| Nembure | 87.7 |
| Embu North | sam |
| Embu East | Runyenjes |
| Elianda | 100.4 |
| Mbeere South | Gachoka |
| Elianda | 172.7 |
| Elianda | 342.2 |
| sam | 508.9 |
| Elianda | Evurore |
| Sam | 361.3 |
| Mt.Kenya Forest (part of Elianda and Embu North) | – |
| Total | – |
Administrative Subdivision
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 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, Mbeere North and Mbeere South.
| Constituency | No. of Wards | Registered Voters |
|---|---|---|
| Manyatta Constituency | 6 | 74,115 |
| Runyenjes Constituency | 6 | 66,261 |
| Mbeere North Constituency | 3 | 36,423 |
| Mbeere South Constituency | 5 | 50,190 |
| Total | 20 | 226,989 |
Political Leadership
The governor is Martin Nyaga Wambora since 2013 and is serving his last term in office after being re-elected in office for second term in 2017 and is deputised by David Kariuki Njeru. Martin Nyaga Wambora survived two impeachment attempts in his first term as the governor. Peter Njeru Ndwiga the senator and Jane Wanjuki Njiru the women representative with both of them starting office in 2017.
Demographics
Local people are mostly of the Embu, Kamba and Mbeere ethnicities. The Embu are found in Manyatta and Runyenjes constituencies while the Kamba and Mbeere are mostly found in Mbeere North and Mbeere South constituencies with the former mainly found in Mbeere South.
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.
Projected Population Distribution and Density
| CONSTITUENCY |
|---|
| Population |
| Manyatta |
| Runyenjes |
| Mbeere North |
| Mbeere South |
| TOTAL |
| Sub-County | Population |
|---|---|
| Embu East | 129,564 |
| Embu North | 79,556 |
| Embu West | 127,100 |
| Mbeere South | 163,476 |
| Mbeere North | 108,881 |
| Mt. Kenya Forest* | 22 |
*Demarcated as a special area to ensure complete coverage during census enumeration
Source
Physical and Natural Conditions
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.
Climatic Conditions
Rain received in the county is largely depended on the altitude ranging as 640mm to as high as 1,495 mm per annum. It has a mean temperature of 21oC. with July being the coldest with minimum of 12oC and March hitting highest temperatures of 31c.[9]
Services and Urbanisation
| County | Stats for the County (Percent) |
|---|---|
| Urbanisation | 16.1 |
| Literacy | 92.7 |
| Attending School (15-18 Yrs) | 71.3 |
| Paved Roads | 4.5 |
| Good Roads | 33.7 |
| Electricity Access | 14.9 |
| Poverty Rate | 42 |
| Stats for the County[10] |
List of Secondary Schools in Embu County – Not Ranked
1. Kangaru School – Boys Boarding – 14303101
2. St. Marys Kiangima Secondary School – Girls Boarding – 14303102
3. Kangaru Girls School – Girls Boarding – 14303104
4. Kirimari Secondary School – Boys Boarding – 14303105
5. Itabua Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14303107
6. Gatunduri Mixed Day Secondary – Mixed Day – 14303108
7. Embu County Mixed Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14303110
8. Kamiu Day Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14303111
9. Gatondo Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14303112
10. Nthambo Day Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14303116
11. Kimangaru Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14303117
12. St Paul’s High School Kevote – Boys Boarding – 14303201
13. St. Joseph’s Secondary School-Mtetu – Boys Boarding – 14303202
14. St Teresa’s Girl’ – Kithimu – Girls Boarding – 14303203
15. Kithegi Mixed Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14303205
16. St Christopher Mixed Day Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14303206
17. St. Luke’s Day Secondary School-Karurina – Mixed Day – 14303207
18. St Fransic Ngoire Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14303208
19. St Benedict’s Day Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14303209
20. St. Michael Mixed Day School – Mixed Day – 14303210
21. Rukira Day Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14303211
22. Siakago Boys High School – Boys Boarding – 14312101
23. Siakago Girls’ Secondary School – Girls Boarding – 14312103
24. Gangara Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14312104
25. Kiambere School Complex– Mixed Boarding – 14312105
26. ACK Riandu Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14312106
27. Gitibure Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14312107
28. Siakago Mixed Day Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14312108
29. Itiira Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14312109
30. Kivue Day Mixed Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14312111
31. St John the Baptist – Kirie Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14312112
32. Kanyuambora Secondary School – Boys Boarding – 14312301
33. Kigwambiti Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14312303
34. Karangare Secondary School – Mixed Day & Boarding – 14312304
35. Kathigagaceru Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14312305
36. A.C.K St. Barnabas-Kavengero – Mixed Day – 14312306
37. Gitii A.C.K. Secondary School – Mixed Day- 14312307
38. Kamarandi Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14312308
39. St. Lukes Secondary School – Kamwaa – Mixed Day – 14312309
40. St. Rita Secondary School – Ngunyumu – Mixed Day – 14312310
41. St. John XXIII Gwakaithi Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14312311
42. St. Michael Secondary School Kyenire – Mixed Day – 14312312
43. St. Timothy’s Kianjeru Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14312313
44. St. Catherine Nthagaiya Girls Secondary School – Girls Boarding – 14333102
45. Thigingi Girls Secondary School – Girls Boarding – 14333103
46. Kanja Technical Secondary School – Mixed Day & Boarding – 14333104
47. Gichiche Secondary School – Girls Boarding – 14333105
48. Gitare Mixed Secondary School – Mixed Day & Boarding – 14333106
49. St Mark’s Ena Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14333107
50. S.A Gikuuri Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14333108
51. Macumo Day Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14333109
52. Mugui Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14333110
53. St. Marys Kigaa Mixed Day Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14333111
54. St John Kathande – Mixed Day – 14333112
55. Ugweri Day Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14333113
56. ACK. Kagaari Mixed Day Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14333114
57. Muragari Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14333115
58. Kithunguthia Mixed Day School – Mixed Day – 14333116
59. St. Thomas Aquinas Day Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14333117
60. ACK Ndumari Day Secondary School – Mixed Day –3314333118
61. St John Fishers Secondary School Mbui Njeru – Mixed Day – 14333119
62. S.A Nduuri Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14333120
63. Kyeni Girls’ High School – Girls Boarding – 14333201
64. Kegonge Boys High School – Boys Boarding – 14333202
65. St Agnes Kiaganari Girls Secondary School – Girls Boarding – 14333203
66. S.A Kyeni Girls Secondary School – Girls Boarding – 14333204
67. St. Mary Goretti Girls’ Secondary School – Rukurir – Girls Boarding – 14333205
68. St John Kathunguri Secondary School – Mixed Day & Boarding – 14333206
69. St. Getrude Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14333207
70. Kiangungi Secondary School – Mixed Day & Boarding – 14333208
71. Ciamanda Mixed Day Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14333209
72. Mufu Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14333210
73. St Jude Karurumo Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14333211
74. St Barnabas Kathari Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14333212
75. S.A Mukuria Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14333213
76. E.A.P.C Kariru Mixed Day Secondary School – Mixed Day- 14333214
77. St Anthony Kivuria Day Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14333215
78. A.C.K Nyagari Mixed Day Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14333216
79. Mayori – Mixed Boarding – 14341101
80. Kiambere Mixed Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 14341103
81. Mariari Girls Secondary School – Girls Boarding – 14341104
82.St Thomas Igumori – Mixed Boarding – 14341105
83. Machang’a Mixed Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 14341106
84. Kerwa Mixed Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 14341107
85. Mutuobare Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 14341108
86. Kabuguri Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 14341109
87. Nyangwa Boys’ High School – Boys Boarding – 14341201
88. Ngenge Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 14341202
89. Kiamuringa Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 14341203
90. St.Clare Girls Kangeta – Girls Boarding – 14341204
91. Yoder Karwigi Mixed Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 14341205
92. Kirima Mixed Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 14341206
93. Gikiiro Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 14341207
94. Mbita Secondary School – Mixed Boarding- 14341208
95. St. Mary’s Gataka Mixed Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 14341209
96. Mbondoni Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 14341301
97. Makima Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 14341302
98. Kanyonga Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 14341303
99. Mashamba Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 14341304
100. Karaba Boys Secondary School – Boys Boarding – 14341401
101. Stephen Kisilu Secondary School Riakanau – Mixed Boarding – 14341402
102. Gategi Girls Secondary School – Girls Boarding – 14341403
103. Joseph Allamano – Wachoro Secondary – Boys Boarding – 14341404
104. Gitaraka Girls Secondary School – Girls Boarding – 14341405
105. Mbonzuni Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 14341406
106. Iria Itune Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 14341407
107. A.C.K Malikini Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 14341409
108. Wango AIC Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 14341410
109. Kamama Secondary School – Boys Boarding – 14355101
110. Kiriari Girls High School – Girls Boarding – 14355102
111. Gituri Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14355103
112. St. Martha Day Mixed Secondary – Mixed Day – 14355104
113. Kithunguriri Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14355105
114. D.E.B Kairuri Mixed Day Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14355107
115. All Saints Kigari Day Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14355108
116. St Marys Makangu – Mixed Day – 14355109
117. Kamviu Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14355110
118. Kiriari Day Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14355111
119. Kavutiti Boys Secondary School – Boys Boarding – 14355112
120. St John Kianjuki – Girls Boarding – 14355113
121. Kianjokoma Mixed Day Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14355114
122. DEB Kavutiri Day Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14355115
123. S.A Manyatta Mixed Day Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14355116
124. Kirigi Day Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14355131
125. Nguviu Boys High School – Boys Boarding – 14355201
126. Nguviu Girls Secondary School – Girls Boarding – 14355202
127. St Peter’s Kathakwa Secondary School – Girls Boarding – 14355203
128. Kagumori Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14355204
129. Muvandori Mixed Day Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14355205
130. St. Alphonse Mixed Day Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14355206
131. St. Joseph the Worker Day Secondary School – Mixed Day – 14355207
132. St. Benedicts Secondary School-Karau – Mixed Day – 14355208
Infrastructure and Access
Roads and Airstrips
The county has extensive road network of 2,213.1 km of which 167.1 km is covered in bitumen and 2046 km is just earth.[11]
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.
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
| Post Offices and Letter Boxes | Number |
|---|---|
| Post offices | 8 |
| Letter boxes installed | 4850 |
| Letter boxes rented | 4501 |
| Letter boxes vacant | 349 |
Source
Education and ICT
County has a total of 619 ECD centres of which 399 private and 220 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.
The county was the first to employ early childhood development education teachers in Kenya. Since January 2014, 483 ECDE teachers were employed.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.
Health
Some of Embu County’s Ambulances
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.
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Government | 79 |
| Faith Based Organizations | 26 |
| Private | 52 |
| Total | 157 |
Source
Economy
Agriculture
Governor Martin Wambora tours a Macadamia plant in Murang’a County
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. 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 food crops such as maize, beans, cow peas, bananas, sorghum, tomatoes, pawpaw, avocado and citrus fruits.
The total acreage under food crops is about 14,000 ha compared to the total acreage under cash crops of 19’000 ha. The County heavily relies on Agriculture as the source of livelihood for its people and also as the main economic activity.
Livestock farming is gaining popularity with the revival of milk cooperatives and investment by private sector on milk processing plants. Dairy farming is concentrated in the upper parts of the County while in the lower parts indigenous breeds are reared. The main types of animals reared include cattle, goats, sheep and chicken. Rabbit rearing has also become an attractive venture to the farmers.
The main types of fish in the County include; trout, tilapia, mud fish and cat fish which are available mostly in the hydroelectric dams. The government through the Economic Stimulus Program has constructed 200 fish ponds in each of the four constituencies and the fish harvested is usually sold locally. The Ministry of Fisheries Development has not only supervised the construction of fish pond but also supplied fish food and fish fingerlings to the farmers.
Tourism
Giraffes in Mwea National ReserveMount Kenya
Tourism is a key sub-sector that has a high potential in the County for both local and international tourists. Some of the available sites include caves, waterfalls and rocky hills for rock climbers. The County is also a gateway to Mt. Kenya which, if aggressively marketed can bring huge incomes to the County. The County is also a host to a number of hydro-electric power dams which are a source of tourist attraction for both local and international tourists. The major dams that generate hydroelectric power for the Country are partly in Embu County. These dams include Kiambere, Gitaru, Kindaruma and Masinga all of which are situated along the Tana River.
Two National reserves namely; Mwea and Mt. Kenya that are managed by KWS have great potential for the tourism industry in the County. Other potential tourist attractions include the Nthenge Njeru water falls near Kirimiri. There are a variety of wildlife species such as elephants, buffaloes, lions, bush bulks, baboons, hippos, columbus monkeys and numerous species of birds.
Investment
Challenges
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.[15] 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.[16] 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 owing to the fact that 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
