By Wasike Elvis

The Government Chemist Department has received a major boost to its forensic and analytical services following the official presentation of the ISO/IEC 17025 Testing Laboratory Accreditation Certificate by the Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS).

The certificate was formally presented during a ceremony presided over by Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, marking what officials described as a significant milestone in strengthening the credibility, quality and international recognition of scientific services offered by the Government Chemist Department.

The accreditation under the ISO/IEC 17025 standard is expected to enhance confidence in laboratory testing and analytical results generated by the department, particularly in areas that support investigations, law enforcement and other government functions.

Speaking during the ceremony, PS Omollo congratulated the Government Chemist team for achieving the accreditation, describing the milestone as an important step towards strengthening Kenya’s scientific and forensic capabilities.

He said the recognition demonstrates the department’s commitment to maintaining high standards in laboratory operations and ensuring that forensic and analytical services meet internationally recognised requirements.

The accreditation is also expected to strengthen the reliability of scientific evidence generated by government laboratories, particularly where laboratory findings play an important role in investigations and other public-sector processes.

Omollo called for stronger collaboration among government agencies to maximise the expertise, infrastructure and scientific capabilities available within the Government Chemist Department.

He said the department should be positioned as a shared national scientific resource that can serve multiple government institutions rather than operating in isolation.

“We congratulate the Government Chemist team and call for stronger inter-agency collaboration to leverage the Department as a shared national scientific capability,” Omollo said.

The PS emphasised the importance of building stronger linkages between institutions that rely on forensic and analytical services, noting that effective collaboration can improve the use of scientific evidence in addressing national challenges.

The ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation is particularly significant because the standard provides requirements for the competence, impartiality and consistent operation of testing and calibration laboratories.

For the Government Chemist Department, the accreditation is expected to reinforce confidence in its laboratory processes and strengthen the standing of its forensic and analytical services.

The milestone comes at a time when scientific evidence continues to play an increasingly important role in investigations, public safety and the administration of justice.

Reliable laboratory analysis can assist investigators and other agencies in examining evidence and producing scientifically supported findings, making the quality and integrity of forensic laboratories critical to the justice system.

The accreditation process also requires laboratories to demonstrate competence and adherence to established quality management and technical requirements, making the achievement an important institutional accomplishment.

Omollo praised the personnel involved in the process and urged them to maintain the standards that led to the accreditation.

He also encouraged continued investment in scientific infrastructure, professional development and modern laboratory technologies to ensure Kenya’s forensic and analytical capabilities remain responsive to emerging needs.

Present during the ceremony was Health Principal Secretary Dr Juma Mukhwana, who joined Omollo and other officials in witnessing the presentation of the accreditation certificate.

The event brought into focus the need for government institutions to work together in strengthening Kenya’s scientific infrastructure and ensuring that specialised capabilities are accessible across agencies.

Officials said the accreditation would provide a foundation for further improvement of the Government Chemist Department and could enhance its ability to provide dependable analytical and forensic services to government agencies and other authorised users.

The milestone is therefore expected to contribute to broader efforts to strengthen evidence-based investigations, improve institutional quality standards and enhance Kenya’s reputation in scientific and forensic laboratory services.

With the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation now in place, the Government Chemist Department is expected to build on the achievement by deepening inter-agency partnerships and expanding the utilisation of its scientific expertise as a national resource.