Knowledge, attitude and practices amongst vendors using motorbikes for chicken transportation within Nakuru County, Kenya

Year: 2026

Nevil Kiriago
Egerton University, Kenya

Grant: HSA Student/Trainee Scholarship 2026

This study will examine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of vendors who transport live chickens using motorbikes within Nakuru, Kenya.  Due to poor rural road infrastructure and the need for cost-effective transport of small batches, motorbikes have become the predominant mode of transport. Despite their convenience, motorbike transport presents serious animal welfare concerns. During transit, birds are exposed to overcrowding, improper handling, and harsh environmental conditions. These factors occasion both physical, physiological and psychological injury to the birds.  Although Kenya’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act provides a legal framework for humane animal handling and transport, non-compliance remains common due to limited awareness and weak enforcement mechanisms.

The overall aim of this project is to identify and characterize key animal welfare concerns associated with the transportation of live chickens using motorbikes in Nakuru.  Specifically, the study will document prevailing welfare challenges and evaluate vendors’ understanding of humane transport practices and their knowledge and perceptions of welfare of birds in transport. A cross-sectional descriptive study design will be employed. The study will target poultry traders and transporters operating within major markets, slaughter points, and retail outlets in Nakuru. A multistage sampling approach will be used, involving purposive selection of key markets followed by random sampling or census of consenting vendors where necessary. Data will be collected through structured face-to-face questionnaires and an observational checklist to assess actual transport conditions. Quantitative data will be analysed using SPSS to generate descriptive statistics, while qualitative data will be analysed thematically. Findings from this study will inform evidence-based interventions and policy recommendations aimed at improving poultry welfare during transport in Nakuru and Kenya at large.