The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) is a government institution established in 1979 to conduct medical research and play a pivotal role in combating diseases such as Malaria, Pneumonia, Meningitis, HIV, and malnutrition. Among its specialized services, KEMRI provides DNA testing and human identification services through its state-of-the-art laboratories.
Types of DNA Testing Offered by KEMRI
- Family Relationship Testing
- Paternity Test: Determines if a tested man is the biological father of a tested child.
- Maternity Test: Establishes whether a tested woman is the biological mother of a tested child, often used in cases of baby mix-ups in hospitals.
- Siblingship Test:
- Full Siblingship: Tests two alleged full siblings (with or without a common parent).
- Half Siblingship: Tests two alleged half-siblings (with or without common parents).
- Forensic DNA Analysis
- Utilized for identifying victims of natural disasters, finding suspects, and solving crimes such as rape or incest.
- Individual DNA Profiling
- Y-Chromosome Test: Identifies direct male lineage to determine shared paternal ancestry.
- Often used to safeguard rightful heirs, avoid exhumation costs, or ensure preparedness for identification in cases of accidents, kidnappings, or terrorism.
Process and Timeline
- KEMRI offers both legal and personal DNA tests.
- A legal DNA test requires a chain of custody documentation, identification through government-issued IDs, and sample collection by an impartial third party.
- Personal knowledge tests are less rigorous.
- Processing Time: Results are available within 5–10 working days.
KEMRI DNA Testing Charges
| DNA Testing Option | Cost (KES) |
|---|---|
| Paternity Test: Mother, Child, and Alleged Father OR Child and Alleged Father without a Mother | 27,000 |
| Maternity Test: Mother and Child | 27,000 |
| Full Siblingship Test: Two alleged full siblings (with or without a common parent) | 27,000 |
| Half Siblingship Test: Two alleged half-siblings (with or without common parents) | 27,000 |
| Y-Chromosome DNA Test / Individual DNA Profile | 15,000 per profile |
Contact Information
For further inquiries or to book a test, you can reach KEMRI through the following:
- Phone: +254(0)112693020
- Email: hidinfo@kemri.org
- Address: KEMRI Headquarters, Mbagathi Road, Production Department
Conclusion
KEMRI provides reliable and professional DNA testing services, whether for legal, personal, or forensic purposes. Their transparent pricing, prompt results, and state-of-the-art facilities make them a trusted choice for DNA identification needs in Kenya.