Embu, Kenya
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| Embu | |
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| — Town — | |
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 Embu
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| Coordinates: 0°32′S 37°37′E / 0.533°S 37.617°E | |
| Country |  Kenya |
| Province | Eastern Province |
| District | Embu District |
| Wards | Blue Valley, Itabua, Kamiu, Kangaru, Majengo, Matakari and Njukiri |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipal Council |
| • Mayor | |
| Elevation | 4,429 ft (1,350 m) |
| Population (1999) | |
| • Total | 41,092 |
| Time zone | EAT (UTC+3) |
| Postal Code | 60100 |
| Area code(s) | 068 |
Embu is a town located approximately 120 kilometres (75 mi) 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[update]).[1]
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[edit] History
Embu town is a major trading centre in Eastern Kenya. For a long time, it was the main economic center for the Embu and Mbeere communities, as well as other communities from central Kenya. Mbeere was carved out of the former Embu district in the 1990s and Siakago town, about 25 km (16 mi) east of Embu town was made its headquarters.
[edit] Geography
Embu has an elevation of 1,350 metres (4,429 ft), and is itself located on the foothills of Mount Kenya. It was founded in 1906 by the British settlers for administration purposes and
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as an agricultural town. It is now the provincial headquarters of the Eastern province, hosting major public provincial offices including Embu Provincial General Hospital.
The area around Embu Town has conducive altitude for endurance training by athletes. As such, Kenyan athletes utilize the altitude and climate advantage of Embu for training, with specialized facilities at Kigari Teachers' Training College, about 15 km (9.3 mi) outside Embu Town.
The town of Embu, Kenya is known for its jacaranda trees that literally turn the municipality into a purple shower when in bloom. The Jacaranda trees usually bloom in October–November each year, depending on the rainfall.
The town of Embu slopes from west to east, with the highest elevation at 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 km (6 mi) in size. Embu has a small airstrip (1 km (0.62 mi) long), which is 7.1 km (4.4 mi) southeast of the heart of the town.
Way past Kigari Teachers College approximately 25 km from Embu Town is a small town known as Kianjokoma that is a centre for other shopping centres like Miandari, Kathande, Kiriari, Irangi and others; This town is fast growing due to the situated Tea factory - Mungania Tea Factory and now a District Hospital as well as a police line in the area.
[edit] Education
There are numerous recognized educational institutions within Embu town. The schools and institutions of higher learning include:
- St Paul's High School-Kevote,
- Sacred Heart Kyeni Girls High School,
- Kangaru High School,
- Nguviu Boys High School,
- Kamama Boys High School,
- Kegonge Boys High School,
- St. Teresa's Girls High School-Kithimu
- Embu High School
Primary schools include:
- Embu Lions Primary School,
- Embu County Primary School,
Tertiary institutions include Embu College, Government Training Institute and East College Embu. Nthagaiya Girls now St. Catherine
[edit] Religion
There are numerous Christian churches and ministries in Embu, including the Anglican Church of Kenya's St. Paul's Cathedral, the Presbyterian Church of East Africa's Blue Valley. P.C.E.A,the African independent Pentecostal church of Africa(A.I.P.C.A)majimbo,kangaru kathangariri,kibugu, kavutiri,ndunduri,itabua,gichera,makengi,kirigiri among many others and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Embu's Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral. The latter cathedral has a unique African-inspired design and is among the largest in Africa.[citation needed] Missions for Christ Ministries office and churches in Embu district. Churches under Missions for Christ Ministries includes Kevote Family Church, Embu town Family Church, Runyenjes Family Church, Kamugere Family Church and Kianjokoma Family Church. Learn more http://www.missionsforchristministries.org
[edit] Electoral subdivisions
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.[2]
[edit] Notable residents
- Cardinal John Njue, Archbishop of Nairobi and former Bishop of Embu
- Nelson Ndereva Njeru, marathon runner
- Wilson Gitonga Ireri, Renown Academician, UK
Bishop stephen njogu,independent
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Population of Local Authorities" (with towns), Government of Kenya, 1999, webpage: GovtKenya-Population-PDF
- ^ Electoral Commission of Kenya: Registration centres by electoral area and constituency
