Background: Poor milk handling practices due to lack of knowledge or deliberate adulteration compromises the safety of milk and that of the consumer. With the increase of milk vending machines in informal settlements, the knowledge and practices of vendors concerning milk hygiene are critical in determining milk safety. The operation of milk vending machines is guided by strict regulations that aim at ensuring proper practices among milk handlers, but the level of implementation among milk vendors is questionable. This study sought to establish hygienic knowledge and handling practices of vendors operating milk vending machines in Nairobi’s informal settlements of Kibra and Dagoretti North. Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, 37 milk vendors were interviewed at the study setting with the aid of questionnaires. Data was then recorded in datasheets and analyzed using frequencies, correlation, and t-test with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences software. Results: The mean percentage score for knowledge and practices was 68.83% and 54.05%, respectively. The knowledge and practices of vendors significantly improved with the increase in their level of education (p=0.04 and p=0.02). There was a significantly positive correlation between knowledge and practices (r=0.626, p=0.000). Conclusions: There is a low level of hygienic knowledge and poor practices among vendors operating milk vending machines in the study area. The efforts by the regulator to ensure proper implementation of the regulations was also not sufficient. Training is required to improve the hygienic knowledge and practices of milk vending machine handlers in informal settlements. Frequent inspections should also be carried out in the informal settlements to ensure proper implementation of regulations on the operation of milk vending machines.

The microbial quality of milk is an important parameter in determining its safety. Processes such as pasteurization are meant to ensure milk is safe for consumption; however, postpasteurization activities could lead to milk contamination, hence threatening the health of consumers. This study sought to determine the microbial safety of milk obtained from vending machines that were located in Nairobi’s informal settlements of Kibra and Dagoretti North. 37 milk samples were collected both from the storage tanks and vending machines located in the study area using a cross-sectional design and tested for microbial safety. Data were then recorded in datasheets and analyzed using frequencies and t-test with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences software. Milk samples tested had acceptable levels of pH with a mean of 6.75; however, the pH of samples from the vending machines was lower than that of samples from the storage tanks. Milk samples from the vending machines had high levels of total viable count (Log 4.7028 cfu/mL) with 81% of the samples having counts beyond the acceptable standard. High levels of Staphylococcus aureus (Log 2.5485 cfu/mL) were also detected in 51% of the samples. Escherichia coli was detected in 27% of the milk samples from the vending machines, while Salmonella spp. was not detected. There was a significant increase in the number of total viable counts ( P ≤ 0.001 ), Staphylococcus aureus ( P ≤ 0.007 ), and Escherichia coli ( P ≤ 0.015 ) in milk samples from the vending machines compared to samples from the storage tanks. Study findings show that milk from the vending machines in the selected informal settlements of Nairobi is highly contaminated and can pose a health risk to consumers if taken without any further heat treatment. Milk vending machine handlers should be trained on practices that safeguard the quality and safety of milk. Public awareness should also be created on the general safety of milk from vending machines to protect consumers from potential health risks resulting from drinking contaminated milk.