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The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI, has announced hikes in their DNA testing fees on paternity and family relationship testing. The announcement which has got the public buzzing, will see the price go up by Sh7,000, from the initial Sh20,000 to now Sh27,000.
The Institute serves both private clients as well as those referred from courts.
When it comes to samples, Kemri uses saliva samples but they can also conduct the DNA test using a range of tissues which includes; blood, nails, bones, teeth and some other parts of the body.
One can walk in to their facility at KEMRI HQ (Mbagathi), anytime of the weekdays from 8:30am to 4:00pm, with the waiting times being five to 10 working days.
The DNA test is based on the fact that 50 per cent of a child’s DNA is inherited from the father and 50 per cent from the mother.
Samples from the child and the alleged father are needed for the DNA test. It is not a must to send the mother's sample even though having it may strengthen the DNA results. In the absence of the alleged father, samples from grandparents, Siblings or Uncles/Aunts can be considered.
The news has gotten lukewarm reception with a section Kenyans complaining that the price charged in the country is higher compared to other countries, especially in Europe where the tests can be done as low as Sh800 in Russia for example.
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