INTRODUCTION:
Immunocompromised individuals are a section of populations with weakened immune systems, hence susceptible to infections. This is challenging to treat and prevent infection among immunocompromised individuals, especially among cancers, HIV/AIDS patients, and diabetic patients, coupled with antimicrobial resistance (AMR), is a major public health threat worldwide.

OBJECTIVES:
To isolate and characterize antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens causing infections among immunocompromised patients at Kericho County Referral Hospital. Study design: a cross-sectional study was conducted at Kericho County Referral Hospital, both inpatients and outpatients.

METHODS:
Collected clinical specimens were cultured onto a suitable bacteriological media follow by biochemical tests to identify the bacterial and then Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method was performed to determine antibiotic sensitivity of the isolated bacteria.

RESULTS:
During the study, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Acinetobacter baumannii were isolated from immunocompromised patients, namely HIV/AIDS, Diabetics, cancer, and organ transplant patients. The resistance against antibiotics was shown across the bacterial species, with high prevalence of resistance against the following antibiotics: penicillin, carbapenems, cephalosporins, and fluoroquinolones.

CONCLUSIONS:
AMR is a significant burden that needs urgent antimicrobial stewardship programs, early diagnosis, and improved prevention of the infections.