University of Embu (UoEm)

Established in 2011 as Embu University College, a constituent college of the University of Nairobi, and chartered in 2016, the University of Embu is located in Embu Town, Embu County. The university serves over 8,000 students across its Main Campus.

The university operates six schools including Education, Agriculture, Business and Economics, Pure and Applied Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Nursing. Its location in the fertile Embu region supports research in highland agriculture and environmental conservation.

Accredited by CUE, the university ranks 28th nationally. It is the only public university headquartered in Embu County, serving as the primary higher education institution for the communities of the eastern Mount Kenya region.

UoEm focuses on research in agriculture, environmental science, and community development, with publications in regional journals advancing crop science, soil health, and sustainable farming practices for the Mount Kenya highlands. The School of Agriculture leverages Embu's fertile location to conduct research on drought-resistant crops, agroforestry systems, and integrated pest management, while the School of Pure and Applied Sciences advances research on indigenous plant resources and water quality in the Tana River catchment. Partnership with KALRO (Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization) connects academic research to national agricultural extension services, while collaboration with the University of Nairobi and the African Virtual University (AVU) expands access to postgraduate training. Research output increasingly informs county-level agricultural policy in Embu, Tharaka-Nithi, and the wider Mount Kenya region, translating laboratory findings into practical solutions for smallholder farmers.

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.