EMBU CENTER

The county borders Tharaka Nithi to the North, Kitui to the east, Machakos to the south, Murang’a to the south west and Kirinyaga to the West. Also known as Kirimari, meaning top of the hill in Kiembu, Embu town serves as the county’s administrative capital. Embu County comprises of four constituencies: Runyenjes, Manyatta, Mbeere North and Mbeere South.

Agriculture is the main driver of the economy in this county with over 70% of the residents being small scale farmers. Small percentages are business people and civil servants working in government institutions.Tea, coffee and cotton have been the main cash crops. However, due to their falling prices, many farmers have in the recent years started growing other crops. Mango farming has become a robust economic activity, finding market as far as Nairobi.Owing to county’s vibrant real estate, sand harvesting has lately become a lucrative business. One of the key up-and-coming economic incentives is the upgrading of Embu airstrip to airport status, which is expected to link up the county’s agribusiness to external market.

Embu County has an array of sights, both endearing to local and foreign visitors. Some places of interest include Mwea National Reserve near Makima town, Mount Kenya climbing expeditions and National Reserve and Karue Hill picnic site off Embu-Runyenjes road and 7 folk hydroelectric power plants near Kiritiri town. The wildlife found in Mwea National reserve include hippos and crocodiles, elephants, zebras, Impala, baboons, monkeys, water bucks, crested porcupine and buffalo among others. Facing Embu, Mount Kenya is perhaps the most eye-catching feature. Besides mountain-climbing, the abundance of endemic plants, wild animals and bird species is a huge attraction to the mountain. Also the favorable altitude around the mountain makes Embu one of the preferred locations for sports training, prompting the Athletics Association of Kenya to set up a training camp at St. Mark’s Kigari Teachers’ college.

CAP YEI involvement

CAP YEI conducted a market scan in 2016 to establish skills training caps and job market skills needs among the common employers. It was found that there was need for hospitality, and automobile (2-wheel) sector industries. CAP YEI started it’s a training program in February 2016. It trains in Automobile mechanics specifically motocycles and Hospitality respectively.

Since the inception of the center, 2 batches of 146 students were enrolled, 64 trained and graduated, and 87.50% have been placed in jobs, 77 are in internship, and 7.81% had started their small businesses.