Background: Chicken is a rich source of meat protein and is increasingly being consumed in urban areas in Kenya.
However, under poor hygienic environment, raw chicken meat presents an ideal substrate supporting the growth
of pathogenic Escherichia coli and Coliform bacteria indicating the potential presence of other pathogenic bacteria; this
may constitute a major source of food-borne illnesses in humans. This study sought to assess the microbiological
quality and safety of raw chicken meat sold in Nairobi, Kenya by determining the E. coli/coliform contamination levels
as well as the antimicrobial resistance patterns and pathogenicity of E. coli isolated.