Embu, Kenya

Embu is a large town in Kenya, located approximately 120 kilometers (75 miles) northeast of Nairobi towards Mount Kenya. Embu serves as the provincial headquarters of Eastern Province in Kenya and is also the district headquarters of Embu District. Located on the southeastern slopes of Mount Kenya, the town of Embu has a population of 41,092 (as of 1999). [ "Population of Local Authorities" (with towns), Government of Kenya, 1999, webpage: [http://treasury.go.ke/cbs.go.ke/pdf/authority.pdf GovtKenya-Population-PDF] ] Embu town is a major trading centre in Eastern Kenya. For a long time, it was the main economic center for the Aembu and the Ambeere subtribes, as well as other groups of people in central Kenya. The Ambeere split from the Aembu in the 1990s and formed Mbeere District with its headquarters in Siakago, a dusty town about 25 Kilometers East of Embu town. This, however, did not stop the Ambeere people from visiting Embu town especially for services and commodities that were not readily available in their new headquarters. Due to historical ties as well as the fact that many Ambeere people own property in Embu town, it is not uncommon to hear locals say that they consider the town as part of their heritage. Embu has an elevation of 1350 metres (4429 feet). It was founded in 1906 by the British settlers. It is now the provincial headquarters of the Eastern province, hosting major public provincial offices including Embu Provincial General Hospital.

The town of Embu, Kenya is known for its Jacaranda trees, that literally turn the municipality into a purple shower when in flower. The Jacaranda trees lose their green leaves and become solid purple when they bloom, usually in October-November each year, depending on the rainfall.

The town of Embu rises from the Ruvingaci River, up to the Kangaru School as well as from Njukiri forest in the west to Muthatari in the East, a radius of about 10 kilometres (6 miles) in size. The main town (center) however is very small and can be crossed in a few minutes. Embu has a small airstrip (1 kilometer long), which is 7.1 kilometers south east of the heart of the town.

Dallas, an estate in the town is known mostly for its diverse inhabitants.

There are numerous recognised educational institutions within Embu town. The schools and institutions of higher learning include; St Paul's High School-Kevote, Kyeni Girls High School, Kangaru High School, Nguviu Boys High School, Embu Lions Primary School, Embu County Primary School, Embu High School and College,Government Training Institute as well as East College among others.

There are numerous Christian churches in Embu, Kenya, including the Anglican Church of Kenya's St. Paul's Cathedral and the Catholic Diocese of Mount Kenya East headquarters in Mugoya (an estate in Embu). The latter cathedral has a unique African-inspired design and is among the largest in Africa. Embu forms a municipality that has seven wards (Blue Valley, Itabua, Kamiu, Kangaru, Majengo, Matakari and Njukiri). All of them belong to Manyatta Constituency, which has a total of eleven wards. The remaining four are located within Embu County Council, the rural council of Embu District [Electoral Commission of Kenya: [http://www.eck.or.ke/downloads/pollingcentres.pdf "Registration centres by electoral area and constituency"] ] .

History

Embu shares the history of Kenya.

visit...www.embuweb.com

See also

* Embu people
* Nyeri - nearby town.

Notes

References

External links