Chuka University is a public university in the Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. The University is situated approximately 186 km from Nairobi along the Nairobi-Meru highway, in a rural setting on the eastern slopes of Mt. Kenya at an altitude of approximately 2,000 meters above sea level. Chuka University is within Chuka/Igamba-ng'ombe Constituency, Tharaka-Nithi County.
Establishment
Chuka University is a public institution established through a legal notice No. 161 of 2007. It was a constituent College of Egerton University and the successor of the former Egerton University Eastern Campus College, Chuka. The Campus College was established on 27 September 2004, by Egerton University Council to enhance access to high quality and affordable University education to the people living in the Eastern region and Kenya at large. His Excellency President Mwai Kibaki appointed the first Council of the University on 12 September 2008. A prominent businessman, Wilfred Murungi was appointed the first Chairman of Chuka University Council. The University College was initially established as a Campus of Chuka University in September 2015. The Campus was elevated to the status of a University College through Legal Gazette Notice No. 146 of 10th July, 2017 after approval by His Excellence President Uhuru Kenyatta. Chuka University was the first institution of higher learning to be established in Eastern Province. The government's objective of establishing the institution was to enhance education access and equity to the people in the region and Kenya at large. This is after the government realized that Education leads to better economic, social and political governance and is a catalyst for transforming Kenya into an industrialized middle-income nation as envisaged in Vision 2030.
Campuses
Main Campus
Igembe Campus
Embu Campus
Chogoria Campus
Tharaka Campus
Town Campus
Leadership
Prof. Erastus Njoka is the University Vice Chancellor assisted by two DVCs, two Registrars and a Finance Officer in exercising the University mandate. Students are led by the Chuka University Students Association elected by the students at the beginning of every year, currently led by the chairperson Harrison M Wanjohi.
Student life
Students enjoy easy access to Chuka Town that is just about 1 km away and the development of Ndagani market makes it easier access to socio-economic services. The student center is almost ready with recreational facilities such as swimming pool. Construction of new student hostels is ongoing, in addition to available housing outside the main campus.
