DNA testing, also known as genetic testing, is a scientific procedure of analyzing genes and chromosomes’ structure to gather information about ancestry, health, and unique traits.
There are three main types of DNA testing: Y-chromosome (or Y-DNA), mitochondrial (or mtDNA), and autosomal.
Y-DNA testing informs about your father’s line while Mitochondrial DNA informs about your mother’s line. On the other hand, autosomal DNA testing informs about most of your DNA, excluding the X, Y, and mtDNA
A paternity DNA test results are usually presented after 5 working days, while Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) takes around 10 days and about 14 days for invasive prenatal testing.
Various facilities in Kenya offer these services at a certain cost. They include
Nairobi Hospital
Nairobi Hospital is one of the private facilities in Kenya offering DNA services. The facilities insists that during the procedure, both parents and the child must be present, and one should submit a court order if it is a legal requirement
Reportedly, Nairobi Hospital charges Sh100,000 for a DNA test.
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Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)
KEMRI offers affordable DNA services and can be a good option for those looking for cheap DNA services. The government-owned institute in January this year revised its DNA test charges from Sh20,000 to Sh27,000 per test.
The results take two to three days.
Bioinformatics Institute of Kenya (KIBS)
This is another facility that offers cheap DNA services with an accuracy rate of 99.99 percent. KIBS DNA clinic is located in Viraj Complex, Block 4, Maasai Road off Mombasa Road, opposite JKIA Junction, Nairobi.
The facility charges Sh20,000 for alleged father and child genetic tests and Sh150,000 for noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT).
AlphaBiolabs Kenya
AlphaBiolabs is a leading institution in genetics testing, drug and alcohol, and Covid-19 analytical testing services. Its services range from paternity tests to legal DNA tests, and immigration DNA testing.
The tests cost upwards of Sh30,000.
EasyDNA Kenya
EasyDNA is an international organization of clinics with its base in KMA Plaza, Upperhill, Nairobi. The facility offers DNA test services for as low as Sh24,000. The results are issued within 3-5 working days.
