Embu

Embu is in the Southern Rift Valley region of Kenya.

It is located on the south-eastern slopes of the Mount Kenya massif.

Embu is one of the major trading centers in Eastern Kenya. Embu is a city in Kenya and the capital of Embu County. It lies on the southeastern foothills of Mount Kenya and is an important agricultural, commercial and administrative centre in eastern Kenya.

Embu sits in a fertile highland area where the climate and soils support a variety of crops. Agriculture is central to the local economy, with tea, coffee, macadamia nuts, fruits, vegetables and other crops produced in the surrounding areas.

The city serves as a commercial centre for much of Embu County and provides markets, schools, hospitals, government offices and other services to neighbouring communities.

The wider area is traditionally associated with the Embu and Mbeere peoples. The landscape changes considerably from the wetter highlands around Mount Kenya to the drier areas farther east.

The area around Embu has long been inhabited by the Embu people and neighbouring communities. During the colonial period, Embu developed as an administrative centre and became increasingly connected to other parts of Kenya through roads and government infrastructure. After Kenya gained independence in 1963, Embu continued to grow as a regional administrative and commercial centre. It later became the headquarters of Embu County under Kenya's devolved system of government.

Many buses & minivans from:

• Nairobi (3 hours)
• Meru (2 hours)
• Nyeri (2 hours)

Matatus, tuk-tuks, taxis and boda bodas are commonly used within Embu. Walking is practical in the central parts of the city.

• Naivas supermarket, Meru-Nairobi Highway, ☏ +254 20-2329836. 6:45AM-8:30PM. low price. (updated Jun 2023)
• Cooperative Bank, Embu-Meru Hwy. 24-hour ATM. Has a no fee Master Card/Visa Card ATM. (updated Jun 2023)
• Mathai Supermarket, Meru-Nairobi Highway. 6AM-10PM. lower prices. (updated Jun 2023)

• Eden Guesthouse, next to much bigger Baraka Guesthouse. Easy to miss the small door and the sign. Inside there are single rooms with common showers and toilets. Everything is clean and there is hot water, however, the rooms lack electrical sockets. The staff is very friendly and speaks English. Singles w/o bathroom Ksh 1000 (October 2018).
• Yoeligen Guest House off Embu-Meru Highway. Single/double rooms with own bathroom, mosquito net, TV. Flakey WiFi. From Ksh1200. (Updated Sep 2021)
• Gerish Hotel, Embu-Siakago Road. single double rooms with own bathroom. all rooms have cable tv. from Ksh 1500. (updated Oct 2018)
• Palmdew Highlands Hotel, Embu-Nairobi highway (opp the Piai center.), ☏ +254-712-842808. single double rooms with own bathroom. hot water free wifi. has a swimming pool. from Ksh 1800.. (updated Oct 2018)

• Nyeri
• Nairobi.
• Meru