Govt chemist gets ISO accreditation to strengthen forensic evidence

The Government Chemist Department in Kenya has received ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation from the Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS). This accreditation, obtained in June 2026 after a nearly three-year assessment process, is expected to bolster the credibility of scientific evidence utilized in criminal investigations and court proceedings. The Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS) certifies laboratories based on their competence and quality in areas such as chemical, biological, forensic, environmental, and food testing.

Presented during a ceremony on August 20, 2026, the accreditation was officially given to the Government Chemist by Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration, Raymond Omollo. The certification is intended to lend greater significance to laboratory findings presented in court. Government Chemist experts frequently appear before courts to present their reports, which can be subject to questioning regarding the standards used by their laboratories.

Omollo highlighted that the ISO/IEC 17025 Testing Laboratory Accreditation Certificate indicates that scientific work at one of Kenya's premier national laboratories has undergone independent assessment according to internationally recognized requirements for technical competence, quality, and impartiality. The Government Chemist offers forensic and analytical laboratory services supporting the National Police Service, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, and Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

These services include examining samples collected during investigations, which may subsequently serve as evidence in criminal proceedings.

Forensic science plays a crucial role in investigations, determining the viability of evidence, and ultimately, the pursuit of justice. The accreditation enhances confidence among the Judiciary, Office of the Attorney-General, and oversight bodies when evaluating scientific evidence and expert testimonies. The Government Chemist also manages laboratory testing related to public health and regulatory enforcement, encompassing cases involving suspected poisoning, narcotic drugs, and the safety or composition of food, beverages, medicines, agricultural inputs, and industrial chemicals.

Accredited under ISO/IEC 17025, the laboratory is required to maintain its technical competence and quality systems through periodic assessments and participation in proficiency testing programs. The accreditation is valid for four years, after which the department must continue to meet the established standards. Omollo cautioned that the department must preserve the required standards throughout this period.

Kenyan government agencies are encouraged to view the Government Chemist as a shared national scientific resource rather than as separate entities that duplicate existing capabilities. Closer collaboration could enable public institutions to share expertise, technology, data, and infrastructure while minimizing redundant expenditures. Omollo emphasized that the benefits of the accreditation should extend beyond the Government Chemist Department and impact broader institutions and the Kenyan public.

Juma Mukhwana, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Industry, affirmed that the department possesses the necessary systems, equipment, chemicals, and skilled personnel to generate reliable results. He stressed that equipment alone is insufficient for accurate laboratory outcomes without a competent workforce. Mukhwana stated that the accreditation symbolizes trust, justice, science, and the protection of the Kenyan public.

Laboratory results can profoundly influence lives by determining the trajectory of investigations, strengthening prosecutions, safeguarding the innocent, and protecting the public. Quality is non-negotiable; it is a necessity.