Farm‐Level Risk Factors Associated With the Colonization of Chicken Flocks With Campylobacter spp. in Murang′a County, Kenya

Poultry production is a key source of income and animal protein in Kenya, especially for smallholders. Chickens are important reservoirs of zoonotic bacteria such as Campylobacter spp., which can infect humans via direct contact or contaminated products. Identifying farm‐level factors linked to Campylobacter colonization in chickens is crucial for improving biosecurity and reducing public health risks. This cross‐sectional study was conducted in four selected subcounties of Murang′a County between August and December 2024 and aimed to identify farm‐level risk factors associated with Campylobacter colonization in the chicken gut in Murang′a County, Kenya. We collected 340 cloacal swabs from chickens reared on smallholder farms. Swabs were processed using standard bacteriological isolation and preliminary phenotypic identification, followed by genus‐level confirmation using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS). Epidemiological data on potential risk factors were collected using a pretested semistructured questionnaire administered to poultry farmers. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate associations between farm‐level factors and isolation of Campylobacter spp. in chickens. Among the 340 farms, 215 were positive for Campylobacter spp., resulting in a farm‐level prevalence of 63.2% (95% CI: 58.1%–68.3%). Campylobacter colonization was significantly associated with poor poultry house hygiene (OR = 2.880, p = 0.018), larger flock size (OR = 2.678, p = 0.017) and higher farmer education level ( OR = 1.984, p = 0.044). The education association likely suggests a proxy for production intensity rather than an independent biological risk factor. Campylobacter occurrence is influenced by farm hygiene, farmer education and flock size in smallholder poultry systems. Improving farm biosecurity practices, farmer awareness and hygiene could reduce zoonotic bacterial risk along the poultry value chain in Murang′a County and similar smallholder production systems.