Frequently asked questions
About the department
What is the Government Chemist?
The Government Chemist is the Central Chemical Testing Laboratory for the Republic of Kenya. It provides forensic science and analytical laboratory services to the criminal justice system and to the public and environmental health systems.
Where are your laboratories?
The headquarters are in Nairobi, with regional centres in Mombasa, Kisumu and Marsabit. See laboratories and offices.
Which ministry is the department part of?
The Government Chemist is domiciled in the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration, in the Ministry of Interior and National Administration.
Which laws give the department its mandate?
The mandate is derived from several Acts, including the Penal Code, the Evidence Act, the Food, Drugs and Chemical Substances Act and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act. See the laws behind our work.
Who does the department work with?
The department serves and supports a wide range of stakeholders, including IPOA, KRA, NACADA, NEMA, KDF, NPHL, EACC, KWS, KFS, KEBS and the National Police Service, as well as academic institutions, private sector agencies and the general public.
When was the department set up?
It was set up in 1912 as an independent section of the National Public Health Laboratories in the Ministry of Health. See history.
Forensic services
What kinds of cases does DNA analysis support?
DNA analysis and serology support investigations involving murder, sexual offences, robbery and theft, child stealing and trafficking, wildlife crimes, the identification of missing or unidentified persons, and the determination of parenthood.
Do your analysts give evidence in court?
Yes. The department provides technical reports and certificates based on scientific findings, and expert evidence in courts of law for the administration of justice. See expert evidence in court.
Does the department attend crime scenes?
Yes. Officers of the Forensic Science division attend scenes of crime for technical support and the collection of samples.
What does forensic toxicology analyse?
Forensic toxicology analyses post-mortem specimens, specimens from veterinary cases and related exhibits for chemically toxic substances.
Analytical services
What does the Analytical division test?
It carries out chemical analysis of water, foods, drugs and chemical substances for quality and conformance with national and international standards, and tests environmental samples.
What happens when laboratory results are disputed?
As Kenya's reference laboratory for forensic science and analytical services, the Government Chemist serves as the authority in disputed laboratory results.
Chemical safety and security
What is the department's role under the Chemical Weapons Convention?
The Government Chemist is Kenya's designated National Authority. It coordinates and implements national obligations on chemical safety and security under the OPCW and represents Kenya in international fora of States Parties. See the Chemical Weapons Convention.
What is CBRN risk mitigation?
CBRN stands for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear. The department coordinates matters related to chemicals under the national CBRN risk mitigation initiatives and is the national focal point for the EU CBRN Centres of Excellence initiative. See CBRN risk mitigation.
Didn’t find your answer? Send us an enquiry.