Campylobacteriosis is a major global foodborne illness, with poultry representing a key reservoir for human infection. In Kenya, peri-urban smallholder broiler production is largely informal and frequently characterized by inadequate slaughter hygiene, which may facilitate Campylobacter contamination. This study investigated the prevalence, genotypic characteristics, and hygiene-related risk factors associated with Campylobacter contamination in broiler carcasses and on-farm slaughter environments across 100 peri-urban farms in Kiambu and Nairobi Counties, Kenya. A cross-sectional design was employed in which four sample types (scald water, evisceration table swabs, carcass rinse water, and pooled carcass samples) were collected per farm and analyzed for Campylobacter spp. using culture and molecular techniques. Selected isolates were further screened for virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes, and logistic regression was used to identify hygiene-related risk factors associated with contamination. Campylobacter spp. was detected in 40% of samples, with prevalence differing significantly across sample types ( p 0.001). Carcass samples showed the highest contamination (35.6%), followed by rinse water (27.5%), while scald water had the lowest prevalence (10%). Among carcass isolates, cadF (29.8%) and wlaN (14.0%) virulence genes and tetO (31.6%) and gyrA (15.8%) antimicrobial resistance genes were detected. Carcasses had the highest odds of contamination (OR = 6.96, 95% CI: 3.58–13.54), followed by carcass rinse water (OR = 4.13, 95% CI: 2.12–8.02). Uncleaned evisceration tables (OR = 1.29, p = 0.043) and combined wash-and-rinse operations (OR = 2.03, p = 0.004) were significant risk factors, and none of the farms practiced disinfection between slaughter sessions. These findings demonstrate that Campylobacter contamination in peri-urban smallholder broiler slaughter systems remains substantial and is strongly influenced by inadequate hygiene practices. The detection of virulence and antimicrobial resistance-associated genes indicates potential public health risks and highlights the need for improved slaughter hygiene, farmer training, and integrated genotypic and phenotypic surveillance to strengthen food safety in informal broiler value chains in Kenya.
Mwangi et al. (Fri,) studied this question.