Chuka University (CU)

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.

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.

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.