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Chuka University (CU)

A public university in Tharaka-Nithi, Kenya, offering agriculture, education, and environmental sciences.

County
Tharaka-Nithi
Established
2004
Students
15,000
Employment rate
65%

The institution

Who they are, how big, and how they rank.

About

Established in 2007 as Chuka University College, a constituent college of Egerton University, and chartered in 2013, Chuka University is located in Chuka, Tharaka-Nithi County. The university serves over 10,000 students across its Main Campus and centres in Igembe, Chogoria, and Embu.

The university operates schools of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Education and Human Resource Development, Business and Economics, Pure and Applied Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Nursing. Its location on the eastern slopes of Mount Kenya supports research in highland agriculture and environmental conservation.

Accredited by CUE, the university ranks 14th nationally. It is the only public university headquartered in Tharaka-Nithi County, serving as the primary gateway to higher education for the communities of the eastern Mount Kenya region.

The numbers

Annual fees
Ksh 150,000 to Ksh 350,000
Student to staff
1:25
Mode of study
Full-time, Part-time, Distance Learning
Charter status
Chartered
Chartered
2012
Scholarships
None recorded

Research

Chuka university focuses on agricultural innovation, environmental conservation, and community development, with notable research in sustainable farming practices suited to the mount kenya highlands and the semi arid tharaka region. the faculty of agriculture advances research on drought resistant crops, agroforestry, and soil conservation, while the faculty of environmental studies and resource development investigates watershed management and forest conservation on mount kenya's eastern slopes. partnership with ruforum (regional universities forum for capacity building in agriculture) supports postgraduate training and collaborative research across east africa. the faculty of engineering develops appropriate technologies for smallholder farmers, including improved irrigation systems and post harvest processing equipment. research output increasingly informs county level agricultural policy in tharaka nithi, embu, and meru, bridging academic inquiry with practical solutions for rural communities in the upper tana river basin.

Accredited by

  • Commission for University Education (CUE)
  • Council of Legal Education (CLE)

What they teach

Faculties, departments and the programmes on offer.

Admission requirements

A C+ mean grade is the minimum for a Bachelor's degree; competitive programmes (medicine, engineering, law, nursing, architecture) require higher grades and specific KCSE subject clusters. Master's programmes require a relevant Bachelor's degree; PhD programmes a relevant Master's degree.

Intakes

  • January
  • May
  • September

Schools and faculties

9 in total
  • Faculty of Agriculture

    Main Campus, Chuka

  • Faculty of Business Studies

    Main Campus, Chuka

  • Faculty of Education

    Main Campus, Chuka

  • Faculty of Environmental Studies and Resource Development

    Main Campus, Chuka

  • Faculty of Engineering

    Main Campus, Chuka

  • Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

    Main Campus, Chuka

  • Faculty of Science and Technology

    Main Campus, Chuka

  • Faculty of Law

    Main Campus, Chuka

  • School of Nursing and Public Health

    Main Campus, Chuka

Campus and beyond

Where you would be, and who they are connected to.

Campuses

Main campus
Main Campus, Chuka
  • Main Campus

    Tharaka-Nithi

    Chuka, Tharaka-Nithi

  • Embu Campus

    Embu

    Embu Town

  • Igoji Campus

    Meru

    Igoji, Meru

  • Tharaka Campus

    Tharaka-Nithi

    Marimanti, Tharaka-Nithi

On campus

  • Library
  • Computer Labs
  • Research Farms
  • Sports Ground
  • Student Hostels

Notable alumni

  • Education and business professionals from Tharaka-Nithi County
  • Teachers and agricultural officers from Eastern Kenya

International partnerships

3 institutions
  • Egerton University (former mentor)
  • University of Eldoret
  • RUFORUM (Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture)

Further reading

Keep this

Entry marks, intakes and fees at Chuka University are restated each year. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.