Bacterial hazards in urban stream irrigation in peri-urban interface of Nairobi-Machakos counties, Kenya

Bacterial contamination in fruits and vegetables cultivated in urban and peri-urban areas constitutes a serious public health risk. This paper investigates bacterial contamination in irrigation water of the Nairobi-Machakos counties interface, Kenya. Sixty-six irrigation water samples were tested fo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of environmental studies 2024-07, Vol.81 (4), p.1836-1852
Main Authors: Ahogle, Arcadius Martinien Agassin, Korir, Nicholas K., Houngnandan, Pascal, Abu-Ghunmi, Lina, Letema, Sammy
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bacteria
Coliforms
Contamination
Cultivation
E coli
food safety
Fruit cultivation
Fruits
health risk
Health risks
Irrigation
Irrigation water
Peri-urban agriculture
Public health
Salmonella
Urban areas
Vegetables
Water analysis
Water sampling
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Summary:Bacterial contamination in fruits and vegetables cultivated in urban and peri-urban areas constitutes a serious public health risk. This paper investigates bacterial contamination in irrigation water of the Nairobi-Machakos counties interface, Kenya. Sixty-six irrigation water samples were tested for total coliforms, Escherichia coli, Shigella spp. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella typhi, BOD, COD, and pH. Results show a high load of bacterial pathogens in all samples except for Salmonella typhi, which tested negative. Based on Kenya's standards and WHO guidelines, the irrigation water samples are unfit for fruit and vegetable irrigation. Urgent and effective measures are required, including regular monitoring, sensitisation, and enforcement of phytosanitary and regulatory measures.
ISSN:0020-7233
1029-0400
DOI:10.1080/00207233.2023.2216605