About Embu
← HomeCounty 014 · Formed 4 Mar 2013 · Capital: Embu town
Embu
“The Land of Opportunities”
On the south-eastern slopes of Mt Kenya, between Kirinyaga to the west, Tharaka Nithi to the north, Kitui to the east and Machakos to the south. Home to the Embu and Mbeere peoples, its towns include Embu, Runyenjes, Siakago and Kiritiri.
- People · 2019
- 608,599
- Land area
- 2,821 km²
- People per km²
- 215.7
- Registered voters · 2022
- 334,302
- Constituencies · sub-counties · wards
- 4 · 5 · 20
- County economy (GCP) · 2023
- KSh 187.9B
Sources: Wikipedia, Embu County (opens in a new tab) (KNBS 2019 census, county figures); IEBC 2022 register (opens in a new tab) (voters); Controller of Budget via Mzalendo, an independent parliamentary monitor (opens in a new tab).
Land and climate
A county that falls 4,000 metres
Embu slopes from the north-west towards the east and south-east: from the peaks and forests of Mt Kenya through tea and coffee country to the Mwea plains and the Tana river basin.
Climate
640–1,495 mm
Rain each year, depending on altitude. Mean temperature 21 °C; July is coldest (12 °C minimum), March hottest (31 °C).
Rivers and dams
- The Thũci, Tana, Kiĩ and Rũvingasĩ rivers form parts of the county boundary.
- The Thiba and Ĩna are the other major rivers; all are perennial.
- Five of the seven Seven Forks dams on the Tana are in Embu.
Hills and plains
- Kiambere, Kianjiru and Kiang’ombe hills.
- The Mwea plains cover the south of the county.
- The Embu route up Mt Kenya is one of the gentler climbs.
People
608,599 people, one county
Who lives here
Faith (2019)
To confirm
Sources: men, women, intersex and household size: KNBS 2019 census, Vol. I (opens in a new tab); faith: KNBS 2019 census, Vol. IV (opens in a new tab); adults 18+: KNBS 2019 census, Vol. III (opens in a new tab); voters: IEBC 2022 register (opens in a new tab).
Economy
Farming carries Embu
Agriculture employs 70.1% of working people, and 87.9% of households farm. The county economy was worth KSh 187.9B in 2023.
Upper Embu
Tea · Coffee
Cash crops on the cool, wet slopes of Mt Kenya, with macadamia across the county. A macadamia factory is planned in Manyatta.
Lower Embu
Muguka
The main cash crop in the drier Mbeere lowlands.
Industry and tourism
- 3,000 acres set aside for an industrial park at Machang’a, Mbeere South; an SME park planned in Manyatta.
- Mt Kenya climbing, kayaking on the dams, planned camps in Mwea National Reserve.
- A high-altitude training camp at Kigari, Manyatta.
Source: Wikipedia, Embu County (opens in a new tab) (GCP: KNBS 2023).
Schools and health
Services on the ground
Education
Embu was the first county in Kenya to employ ECDE teachers.
Health
The main referral hospital is in Embu town, with hospitals at Runyenjes, Siakago and Ishiara.
Public money
Where the shillings go
County budget, FY2024/25
KSh 8.5B
How much of each budget line was actually spent:
Controller of Budget, via Mzalendo (independent parliamentary monitor) (opens in a new tab).
NG-CDF, FY2025/26
To confirm
National Government Constituencies Development Fund, by constituency:
To confirm against the NG-CDF Board’s published allocations.
Leaders elected in 2022
Who represents Embu today
- GovernorCecily MbarireUDA · 108,610 votes · Embu’s first woman governor
- SenatorAlexander Munyi MundigiDP · 81,162 votes
- Woman RepresentativePamela Njoki NjeruUDA · 141,107 votes
- MP, ManyattaHon. Gitonga MukunjiHis record →
- County Assembly30 members20 elected ward MCAs and 10 nominated
Sources: Mzalendo (independent parliamentary monitor) (opens in a new tab) (2022 results), Wikipedia (opens in a new tab).
All 20 wards
Embu, ward by ward
Scroll sideways to see every column.
| Constituency | Ward | Registered voters | People (2019) | MCA (2022) | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ManyattaSource for Manyatta (opens in a new tab) | 106,588 | 6 wards | |||
| Kirimari | 29,617 | Swaleh Ibrahim | UDA | ||
| Ruguru Ngandori | 18,449 | Harrison Sammy Muturi | IND | ||
| Nginda | 18,342 | Maurice Macharia Kithinji | UDA | ||
| Mbeti North | 17,844 | Peter Muriithi Nyaga | UDA | ||
| Kithimu | 11,824 | Julius Njagi Karuri | UDA | ||
| Gaturi South | 10,512 | Fredrick Mugendi Gatumu | CCK | ||
| RunyenjesSource for Runyenjes (opens in a new tab) | 95,326 | 6 wards | |||
| Kagaari North | 17,286 | Johnson Mucangi Njuki | UDA | ||
| Kyeni South | 17,255 | Barbanas Njama Kanyua | UDA | ||
| Central | 17,035 | Edwin Muriithi Njiru | TSP | ||
| Kyeni North | 15,314 | Terry C. Wanja Mbuchi | UDA | ||
| Gaturi North | 14,872 | Paul Muchangi Njiru | NARC | ||
| Kagaari South | 13,564 | Susan Wairimu Nyaga | UDA | ||
| Mbeere NorthSource for Mbeere North (opens in a new tab) | 55,124 | 108,881 | 3 wards | ||
| Evurore | 26,393 | Duncan Ireri Mbui | IND | ||
| Nthawa | 18,882 | Samuel Njeru Githumbu | DEP | ||
| Muminji | 9,849 | Newton Kariuki Ndwiga | DEP | ||
| Mbeere SouthSource for Mbeere South (opens in a new tab) | 77,264 | 163,476 | 5 wards | ||
| Mavuria | 20,627 | John Ngari Mbaka | DEP | ||
| Mbeti South | 19,083 | Murithi Njagi Kiura | JP | ||
| Mwea | 17,232 | Job Itumo Munyambu | PNU | ||
| Makima | 11,753 | Philip Kinyutu Nzangi | WDM | ||
| Kiambere | 8,569 | Masters Leonard Muriuki Mwaniki | DEP | ||
| Embu County | 334,302 | 608,599 | 20 wards | ||
* Runyenjes population is the sum of its six ward figures. Ward populations outside Runyenjes, and Manyatta’s total, are still being sourced from KNBS.
