To assess the economic cost and risk to human health associated with aflatoxins in the Kenyan feed-dairy chain, we conducted cross-sectional surveys in four agro-ecological zones in Kenya. The agro-ecological zones selected include semi-arid, humid, sub-humid and temperate zones.

The counties representing the areas are Isiolo, Tharaka-Nithi, Kwale, Kisii and Bungoma. The field work was divided into two phases so as to account for seasonal effect of aflatoxins. We carried out the first phase in February and March this year. During that period we carried interviews in the research areas, administering questionnaires to households (n=289), milk retailers (n=15), dairy feed wholesalers (n=19) and feed manufacturers (n=18). We did the second phase of the research in July and October, 2014.

Ngorika in Isiolo, the ladies have carried samples in the green plastic bags and milk in the gourd/can.
Ngorika in Isiolo, the ladies have carried samples in the green plastic bags and milk in the gourd/can.

In both phase 1 and 2 of the study we collected samples of milk, maize, millet, sorghum, cassava and dairy feeds. To determine aflatoxin levels in these samples we ran competitive ELISA tests on them. Currently we are doing analysis of the results correlating with the questionnaire data to determine risk factors for aflatoxin contamination in these areas.

Written by Anima J. Sirma and Daniel M. Senerwa, PhD students in the WP5 of FoodAfrica

Conducting interviews in the field.
Conducting interviews in the field.