Written by Lisa Murimi
The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has announced an increase in the price of its DNA testing kits, effective January 2025.
In a statement released on Wednesday, January 8, KEMRI revealed that the cost of the DNA Testing Service would rise from Ksh20,000 to Ksh 27,000, an increment of Ksh7,000.
“We wish to inform our valued customers of a marginal price adjustment for the DNA Testing Service,” read the statement.
The KEMRI Human DNA Identification Laboratory (HID) offers crucial DNA testing services, particularly in paternity and family relationship cases.
These services are widely utilized by private clients and for court-ordered tests, especially in child support disputes.
The announcement comes amid heightened interest in DNA testing, following the controversial entry of unauthorized home DNA test kits into the Kenyan market in 2023.
Priced at Ksh600, the kits sparked debates over their reliability and safety.
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) subsequently issued a warning, stating that the kits were not approved for sale in Kenya.
DNA testing remains mandatory only in specific contexts, such as criminal investigations or court orders.
The Ministry of Health has dismissed prior rumors about mandatory DNA tests for newborns, emphasizing that no such policy exists.
This price adjustment underscores the critical role KEMRI plays in offering regulated and accurate testing services.
