Knowledge on phenotypic diversity among existing spider plant accessions is a milestone in the improvement of spider plant, which is a highly nutritious indigenous vegetable in Kenya. A study involving agronomic and morphological characterization of 49 spider plant accessions assembled from East and South Africa was carried out at the University of Nairobi Field Station for two seasons in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Phenotypic data was collected on growth habit, flower, petiole, leaf and stem colour, petiole, leaf and stem hairiness, number of leaves per plant, plant height, number of primary branches, leaf length and width, single leaf area, and chlorophyll content according to FAO descriptors with modifications. Data was analyzed using both DARwin software V6 and Genstat Version 14. We observed significant differences among the traits implying great genetic variability among the evaluated spider plant accessions. The high genetic variation was further validated using the Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic mean (UPGMA) clustering method with stem and flower colour as key traits. The 49-spider plant accessions were clustered into 2 major groups, each consisting of Kenyan and South African accessions. Stepwise regression revealed that plant height had the most influence on yield in terms of number of leaves per plant. We also observed high heritability for several traits including days to flowering (91%), number of leaves per plant (99%), plant height (99%), number of primary branches (94%), chlorophyll content (94%), and single leaf area (87%). Our results reveal the high genetic variation between different spider plant accessions, especially from different regions of Africa that could be further exploited to improve productivity in the plant. The high heritability of most of the yield related traits is promising for improving yield in the crop through direct selection.

Globally, the poultry sector is one of the primary animal protein sources for human consumption. The poultry sector enhances both food and economic security in Kenya. This has led to adaptations in the poultry sector to respond to the growing demand for animal protein. Practices such as antimicrobial use for disease management, growth promotion, and product improvement within the poultry industry have led to public health, environmental, and ethical concerns. A predominant poultry-producing region in Kenya, Kiambu County was chosen for this study. In-depth interviews (n=21) were conducted until saturation among both small- and large-scale poultry farmers of layers, broiler, and indigenous chicken breeds. The farmers revealed overuse and misuse of antimicrobials, use of antimicrobials for growth promotion and product improvement, and non-adherence to withdrawal periods. They also use poultry waste in other animal feeds and improperly dispose of antimicrobial dilutions. These practices are all likely to contribute to the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which is a global threat to human, animal, and environmental health. The lack of awareness of the potential harm caused by the practices and disregard of instructions, demonstrates the need for increased awareness among poultry farmers on rational use of antimicrobials in poultry farming. Poultry farmers’ ignorance and lack of adherence to regulations of antimicrobial use in poultry farming raises ethical concerns about the threat to human, animal, and environmental health. We conclude that a multifaceted One Health approach is required to evaluate the different ethical, social, and biological factors that contribute to the development and spread of antibiotic resistance arising from poultry production to safeguard public and environmental health.

Introduction: the commensal bacteria, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp. are abundant in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals. However, these two bacteria could also turn out to be opportunistic pathogens, as well as carriers of antimicrobial resistance genes, leading to a public health hazard in the human, animal, and environmental domains. Methods: this cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of bacteria in chicken and their link to humans and the environment. Various microbiological isolation and characterization techniques were employed to identify Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp. across all the variables investigated under the one health approach. Results: heavy contamination (>300 colony-forming units) with the two study bacteria was recorded on all the chicken handlers' hands. A prevalence of above 80% of Enterococcus spp. was observed across all the variables investigated. The same prevalence was noted for E. coli, with an exceptional prevalence of 10.8% in chicken handlers’ hands. E. coli and Enterococcus were highly prevalent in chicken and environmental samples, with greater than 95% positivity, while only 9.8% of human pathogens were positive for both pathogens. Prevalence of E. coli (χ2 = 331.22, p < 0.001) and Enterococcus (χ2 = 43.27, p < 0.00) differed strongly by source. Conclusion: co-occurrence may reflect shared transmission routes, similar survival niches, or environmental/ecological overlap. This could facilitate the transfer of bacteria among humans, chickens, and the environment, some of which may be antimicrobial-resistant. There is, therefore, a need to promote best farm practices, including hand hygiene, to reduce bacterial transmission risks from animals to humans, and vice versa in a shared environment.

Background and Aim: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a major One Health threat driven by inappropriate antimicrobial use (AMU) in humans, animals, and the environment. Poultry production is recognized as a key reservoir of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, yet few studies in Kenya examine AMU and AMR across interconnected human–animal–environment domains. This study assessed AMU patterns among poultry farmers in Kiambu County and characterized phenotypic resistance in Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp. isolated from humans, chickens, and chicken environments. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to September 2024, involving 102 poultry farms. Farm demographics and AMU data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Archived E. coli (n = 92) and Enterococcus spp. (n = 101) isolates from chicken handlers’ hands, chickens, and environmental samples were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the Kirby–Bauer method per Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) 2024 guidelines. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including logistic regression with false discovery rate correction, were used to assess associations between AMU and phenotypic resistance. Results: Macrolides (69%), tetracyclines (48%), and sulfonamides (21%) were the most commonly used antimicrobials; 7% of farms reported colistin use. Among E. coli isolates, resistance was highest to ampicillin (77%), tetracycline (72%), and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole (49%), with 35% exhibiting multidrug resistance (MDR). No carbapenem resistance was detected. Enterococcus isolates showed high erythromycin resistance (61%) and moderate ciprofloxacin resistance (26%), with 6.9% exhibiting MDR; no vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) were observed. Penicillin use strongly predicted ampicillin resistance in both organisms, whereas sulfonamide use was associated with reduced trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole resistance. Macrolide use did not correlate with erythromycin resistance. Conclusion: High AMU in poultry farming, particularly of macrolides, tetracyclines, and sulfonamides, has created significant selection pressure, contributing to MDR emergence across One Health interfaces. Detection of resistance in humans, poultry, and shared environments underscores the bidirectional risk of AMR transmission. Strengthened antimicrobial stewardship, regulation of critically important antimicrobials, and enhanced farm hygiene are essential to mitigate AMR. These findings directly support Kenya’s Vision 2030 and SDGs targeting health, responsible production, and environmental protection. Keywords: Antimicrobial use, antimicrobial resistance, poultry farming, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus, One Health, Kenya.