Government Chemist formally receives ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation certicate

The Government Chemist Department in Kenya has officially received its ISO/IEC 17025 Testing Laboratory Accreditation Certificate from the Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS). This significant achievement strengthens public confidence in scientific evidence utilized in criminal investigations, court proceedings, public health decisions, and regulatory enforcement. The Department secured the accreditation after nearly three years of a comprehensive assessment process.

Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration Dr. Raymond Omollo presented the certificate during a ceremony, commending the Department's leadership and staff. He highlighted that the Department's role extends beyond supporting the National Police Service to serving government institutions, private organizations, and citizens demanding scientifically reliable answers.

Dr. Omollo emphasized that the accreditation would bolster the Department's capacity to defend its reports in court and enhance trust in scientific evidence presented before the courts.

Dr. Omollo noted that the Government Chemist Department, under the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration, plays a unique role as Kenya's central institution for forensic science and analytical laboratory services. The Department supports various critical areas, including justice administration, public health, environmental protection, national security, consumer protection, and regulatory enforcement.

It is also the National Authority for the Chemical Weapons Convention implementation and a focal point for Kenya's Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear coordination framework.

The accreditation will also bolster the Judiciary, the Office of the Attorney-General, and oversight institutions' confidence in expert scientific testimony and evidence integrity in legal proceedings. Dr. Omollo cautioned that the accreditation, valid for four years, necessitates continuous adherence to required standards to prevent its withdrawal.

He urged government institutions to view the Government Chemist Department as a shared national scientific capability rather than developing isolated or duplicative analytical facilities, emphasizing the importance of collaboration to ensure efficient resource utilization and better value for Kenyans.

The Principal Secretary called for expanded collaboration with the Government Chemist Department to deepen scientific expertise and research contributions. He challenged the Department to evolve beyond merely receiving samples and issuing reports, becoming a national center of scientific expertise and research. Dr. Omollo emphasized that the accreditation represents the beginning of the real test, where the Department must demonstrate its commitment to scientific excellence, quality public service, and internationally recognized standards through continued investment in human-resource development and anticipation of emerging scientific threats.