International Science Community Association International Research Journal of Environmental Sciences 15 1 2026 01 22 Prevalence of bacteria resistant to antibiotics in reclaimed domestic wastewater used for irrigation in Maasai Mara University African Medicinal Botanical Garden, Narok 7 13 EN Jaël AÏSSEKOU Carbegie Djidémi 1 Laboratory of Research in Biochemistry and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin Babatoundé KOUMOLOU Luc 2 Laboratory of Research in Biochemistry and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin Arouna YESSOUFOU 3 Laboratory of Applied Hydrology, National Water Institute, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin Basile GOUETI 4 Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Typing in Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin Elias ADANLOKONON 5 Laboratory of Research in Biochemistry and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin Bernadin ELEGBEDE Manou 6 Department of water and Sanitation, National Water Institute, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin Haziz SINA 7 Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Typing in Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin Ndubi Doryce 1 Department of Biological Sciences, Maasai Mara University, Kenya Osano Aloys 2 Department of Mathematics and Physical Sciences, Maasai Mara University, Kenya Abila Romulus 3 Department of Environmental Studies, Geography and Planning; Maasai Mara University, Kenya > Research Paper 2025 11 13 2026 01 22 Increase in global population and urbanization has resulted in escalation in water consumption and increased generation of waste water which has posed a sanitation challenge. Point sources like wastewater treatment plants are assumed to participate in discharge and availability of bacteria which are resistant to antibiotics into the environment. This study aimed to isolate and determine antimicrobial profile of bacterial pathogens from wastewater in the Maasai Mara University wastewater treatment plant, located at the Maasai Mara University African Medicinal Botanical Garden, Narok, Kenya. Sample collection using quota sampling method and analysis were carried out using standard microbiological protocols. Bacterial isolation was done on Eosin methylene blue and Mac Conkey agar. Identification of isolates was performed using the IMVIC panel of biochemical tests. Additionally, the microbial isolates were exposed to a panel of antibiotics using the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method to determine their resistance pattern to commonly used antibiotics. Bacterial types obtained from the wastewater used for irrigation at the Botanical Garden included Enterobacter spp, Proteus vulgaris, Proteus mirabilis and Escherichia coli. These isolates were subjected to ampicillin, tetracycline, cotrimoxazole, streptomycin, kanamycin, gentamycin, sulfamethoxazole and chloramphenicol antibiotics. Their activity ranged from susceptible, intermediate to resistant against all the antibiotics for all the isolates under study. The E. coli, P. vulgaris and P. mirabilis strains isolated exhibited multi-drug resistance. 2-way ANOVA results showed that there was no significant difference in antibiotic susceptibility to the panel of antibiotics (p=0.282) by the isolates. It was noted that the reclaimed wastewater utilized for irrigation of the Botanical Garden was contaminated with pathogenic bacteria that were resistant to commonly used antibiotics and posed an obvious threat to the health of animals, visitors, students and staff. Widespread unregulated use of antibiotics maybe prevalent among the University community, the source of the wastewater. Further treatment of the water should therefore be carried out in order to eliminate the microbes before release to the environment. Copyright@ International Science Community Association