Test food, drugs, chemicals or water at the Government Chemist
Government Chemist Department, Ministry of Interior and National Administration · sources read 2 Oct 2026
Take your samples to the Government Chemist. Food, drug and chemical tests cost KSh 500 per parameter per sample for individuals (KSh 1,000 for companies) and take about 2 weeks; water samples cost KSh 2,000 (KSh 5,000 for companies) and take 3 working days.
- Fee
- KSh 500Food, drugs or chemicals, individuals (per parameter per sample)KSh 1,000Food, drugs or chemicals, companies (per parameter per sample)KSh 2,000Water sample, individuals (per sample)KSh 5,000Water sample, companies (per sample)
- How long
- About 2 weeks for food, drugs and chemicals (water: 3 working days)
- Where
- In person at the Government Chemist: headquarters in Nairobi, or regional testing centres in Mombasa, Kisumu and Marsabit.
What you need
- The samples you want tested
Steps
- Go to the Government Chemist headquarters in Nairobi or a regional testing centre in Mombasa, Kisumu or Marsabit.
- Hand in your samples and pay the charge for each sample (and each parameter for food, drugs and chemicals).
- Collect your results: about 2 weeks for food, drugs and chemicals, or 3 working days for water.
Watch out
- Food, drug and chemical tests are charged per parameter, per sample, so testing for several things costs more.
Who can apply
- Individuals and companies. Companies pay a higher rate.
Official sources (2)
- Citizen Service Delivery Charter interior.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Institutions interior.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026