Kenya Minute.
Sunday, 9 August 2026
Kenya’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Sunday, 9 August 2026
Nairobi—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Kenyan press · Organization

Government Chemist

Government Chemist — laboratory body conducting toxicology and chemical analysis for law enforcement and wildlife investigations.

2026-04-292026-08-09

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. August 2026
  2. Capital News

    The wildlife agency said it is working with the Government Chemist and the University of Nairobi to conduct toxicological, microbiological and other laboratory analyses to establish the exact cause of the deaths.

    KWS launches multi-agency probe into elephant deaths in Amboseli-Kimana landscape
  3. Citizen Digital

    KWS said it has deployed veterinary and scientific teams to investigate the incident and is working with the Government Chemist and the University of Nairobi to conduct toxicological, microbiological and environmental analyses, including testing water sources and other possible c

    Amboseli elephant death toll at 16 as KWS rules out infectious disease, awaits final test results
  4. The Standard

    The magistrate further relied on the Government Chemist's report, which confirmed that the recovered substances were cannabis and diazepam, both classified as narcotic drugs under the law.He noted that the report was not challenged by the defence.

    Lamu drug trafficker to serve 10 years in jail or pay Sh5 million
  5. July 2026
  6. Capital News

    Samples were submitted to the University of Nairobi, the Government Chemist and other specialised laboratories for toxicological and pathological testing.

    UGM demands independent probe into ‘cyanide poisoning’ after Amboseli elephant deaths
  7. The Standard

    eriod of three weeks, raising concern among conservationists and local authorities.Wanyama said KWS, led by vets stationed in the park, has launched investigations into the cause of death of the animals.Samples collected from the carcasses have been sent to the Government Chemist

    KWS probes mysterious death of 14 elephants near Amboseli National Park
  8. Capital News

    At the same time, preliminary tests by the Government Chemist returned negative results for the toxic substances initially screened, with additional analyses for other possible toxins still underway.

    Possible Toxic Substance Detected in Amboseli Elephant Deaths, KWS Awaits Confirmatory Tests
  9. Citizen Digital

    The exhibit has been secured at Nessuit Police Station and will be submitted to the Government Chemist for analysis.

    Nakuru: Police raid illicit brew dens in Njoro, arrest one suspect
  10. Citizen Digital

    With all vital remains now recovered, the case is scheduled for mention on August 4, 2026, as forensic teams from the DCI laboratory and the Government Chemist finalize DNA cross-matching and toxicology tests.

    DCI recovers missing head of slain Nyeri businesswoman Joy Kanini
  11. The Standard

    "We didn't find any injuries on the body, but we have taken samples for further analysis at the Government Chemist.

    Autopsy fails to determine KFS legal manager Wairimu cause of death
  12. The Standard

    "We didn't find any injuries on the body, but we have taken samples for further analysis at the Government Chemist.

    Autopsy fails to reveal KFS legal manager Wairimu cause of death

Friday 7 August

  1. KWS investigates cyanide poisoning in Amboseli elephant deaths

    Kenya Wildlife Service has launched a multi-agency investigation into 16 elephant deaths recorded between June 24 and July 31 across the Amboseli-Kimana-Kitenden ecosystem, with preliminary laboratory findings pointing to cyanide poisoning as the probable cause.

    7 August 2026 · Capital News

  2. Amboseli elephant deaths reach 16; infectious disease ruled out

    The Kenya Wildlife Service reported 16 elephant deaths at Amboseli National Park as of early August, with preliminary analysis pointing to cyanide poisoning as the probable cause, though the agency awaits final laboratory test results before conclusively determining the cause of each death.

    7 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

Monday 3 August

  1. Lamu man convicted of drug trafficking, fined Sh50 million

    A Lamu magistrate's court convicted Abdulrahman Issa of trafficking cannabis sativa and diazepam and sentenced him to either Sh50 million in fines or 10 years' imprisonment in default. Police recovered 250 grams of cannabis sativa, 10 diazepam tablets, and other items from him during a patrol in Tchundwa Village on March 12, 2026.

    3 August 2026 · The Standard

Friday 31 July

  1. UGM demands probe into elephant deaths in Amboseli

    The United Green Movement has called for an independent investigation into the alleged poisoning of fifteen elephants in the Amboseli ecosystem, saying preliminary laboratory findings detected a potential toxic substance in samples from affected elephants. UGM cited gaps in Kenya's regulation of hazardous chemicals and urged authorities to prevent similar wildlife deaths.

    31 July 2026 · Capital News

Thursday 30 July

  1. KWS investigates mysterious deaths of 14 elephants near Amboseli

    At least 14 elephants of different ages and sexes have died over three weeks near Amboseli National Park in locations 15 to 30 kilometers from its boundaries. Kenya Wildlife Service has launched investigations and sent samples from the carcasses to the Government Chemist for analysis.

    30 July 2026 · The Standard

Tuesday 28 July

  1. Toxic substance suspected in 15 Amboseli elephant deaths

    Investigators have detected a potential toxic substance in samples from elephants that died in the Amboseli ecosystem, with preliminary findings from the University of Nairobi identified as a suspected toxin. KWS is conducting further quantitative tests to determine the substance's concentration and whether it caused the deaths, while investigating environmental factors and water sources.

    28 July 2026 · Capital News

  2. Nakuru police raid illicit brew operations, arrest one suspect

    Police in Njoro Sub-County conducted raids on eight households in Segutiet-Ndarugu village, arresting a 39-year-old woman in possession of 20 litres of kangara and destroying brewing equipment and illegal lotto machines.

    28 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

Tuesday 14 July

  1. DCI detectives recover missing head of slain Nyeri businesswoman

    Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations' homicide unit have recovered the missing head of 25-year-old Nyeri businesswoman Joy Kanini after weeks of intensive search, leading the prime suspect back to the scene. The suspect, John Ndiritu Muriithi, alias Tizo, has been remanded in police custody for 21 days at Kiganjo Police Station to allow for scene reconstructions and a mandatory mental assessment.

    14 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

Thursday 9 July

  1. Autopsy inconclusive on KFS manager Wairimu's cause of death

    An autopsy on Kenya Forest Service Legal Services Manager Esther Wairimu Keige, whose body was found in a coffee plantation in Juja after she went missing on June 10, failed to establish a conclusive cause of death due to advanced decomposition; toxicology results are pending.

    9 July 2026 · The Standard

  2. Autopsy inconclusive for missing KFS legal manager Wairimu

    An autopsy on Kenya Forest Service Legal Services Manager Esther Wairimu Keige, whose body was found in a Juja coffee plantation after she went missing on June 10, failed to establish her cause of death due to advanced decomposition; toxicology results are pending.

    9 July 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 8 July

  1. Autopsy of missing KFS manager inconclusive on cause of death

    The autopsy of Kenya Forest Service Legal Services Manager Esther Wairimu Keige, whose body was found in Juja, failed to establish the cause of death due to advanced decomposition, though no visible injuries were found; toxicological samples have been collected for further analysis.

    8 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

Saturday 27 June

  1. ODPP closes case against six Iranians in Sh8.2bn methamphetamine trafficking trial

    The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has closed its case against six Iranian nationals charged with trafficking more than one tonne of methamphetamine worth Sh8.2 billion. The prosecution presented testimony from 12 witnesses at Shanzu Chief Magistrate's Court after the Kenya Navy intercepted a vessel carrying the drugs in October 2025.

    27 June 2026 · Capital News

Friday 26 June

  1. DPP closes case against six Iranians in meth trafficking trial

    The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has closed its case against six Iranian nationals accused of trafficking more than one tonne of methamphetamine worth over Ksh.8.2 billion before the Shanzu Chief Magistrate's Court, after calling 12 witnesses including the investigating officer from the Anti-Narcotics Unit.

    26 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. DPP closes case against six Iranians in Sh8.2bn methamphetamine trial

    The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has closed its case against six Iranian nationals accused of trafficking more than one tonne of methamphetamine worth Sh8.2 billion, after calling 12 witnesses to the Shanzu Chief Magistrate's Court. The prosecution detailed how Kenyan security agencies intercepted a vessel carrying the narcotics haul on the high seas in October 2025.

    26 June 2026 · Capital News

Wednesday 24 June

  1. Tanzanian driver and Kenyan charged in cannabis trafficking case

    A Tanzanian truck driver and a Kenyan national have been charged with trafficking cannabis worth more than Ksh 10 million. The suspects were arrested after anti-narcotics detectives intercepted a truck in Kilifi County and recovered 333.35 kilograms of the drug.

    24 June 2026 · Capital News

  2. Tanzanian driver, Kenyan charged in Ksh10m cannabis bust

    A Tanzanian truck driver and a Kenyan national have been charged with trafficking cannabis worth more than Ksh 10 million following a bust in Kilifi County on June 19. Anti-narcotics detectives intercepted a truck carrying 333.35 kilograms of cannabis in the Mariakani area, and the two accused appeared before Mombasa Resident Magistrate and denied the charges.

    24 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. Tanzanian driver, Kenyan charged in Ksh10M cannabis bust

    A Tanzanian truck driver and a Kenyan national were charged with trafficking 333.35 kilograms of cannabis valued at Ksh10,000,500 in Mariakani, Kilifi County, following an anti-narcotics interception on June 19, 2026. The two men denied charges of trafficking narcotic drugs contrary to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act.

    24 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Monday 22 June

  1. Three 2024 Gen Z protest death cases in court; IPOA probes 46 others

    The Independent Policing Oversight Authority says only three of 62 death cases from the June 2024 Anti-Finance Bill protests have reached court, with 46 still under investigation and three forwarded to prosecutors nearly two years after the demonstrations. IPOA cited investigation complexity and reliance on external forensic agencies for the delays.

    22 June 2026 · Capital News

  2. 46 of 62 Gen Z protest deaths still under investigation

    The Independent Policing Oversight Authority says 46 out of 62 deaths linked to 2024 Anti-Finance Bill protests remain under active investigation, with only three cases before courts. IPOA cited complexity of investigations and reliance on forensic examinations as factors contributing to delays.

    22 June 2026 · Capital News

  3. IPOA: only three protest deaths cases in court so far

    Nearly two years after the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests, only three of the 62 deaths linked to the demonstrations have reached the courts, according to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority. IPOA said 46 deaths remain under active investigation, three cases are pending before court, three have been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for review, one is undergoing internal legal review, four were closed after investigations, and five were closed following advice from the ODPP.

    22 June 2026 · The Standard

Saturday 6 June

  1. Utumishi Girls fire: Families receive DNA test results

    Families of 16 students who died in a dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls' School received DNA test results and formally identified the remains at Naivasha Referral Hospital. One body was released for immediate burial according to Islamic rites, while the remaining 15 families await a joint memorial service before burial.

    6 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Thursday 14 May

  1. NACADA study detects synthetic drugs and clandestine labs across Kenya

    A NACADA wastewater analysis across 12 drug hotspot counties found evidence of synthetic drugs including methamphetamine, MDMA, synthetic cathinones, and new psychoactive substances, along with signs of small-scale illegal drug manufacturing operations. NACADA warned that Kenya's drug landscape is evolving and the country must shift its anti-narcotics strategies beyond traditional plant-based drugs.

    14 May 2026 · Capital News

  2. Police arrest seven, recover narcotics worth millions nationwide

    DCI officers arrested seven people across the country in four days and recovered suspected narcotics including cannabis sativa and skunk. In Mombasa, two suspects were arrested and narcotics worth Sh2.19 million were recovered; in Nairobi, a Nigerian national was arrested with narcotics of unknown value.

    14 May 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 6 May

  1. National Police intensify crackdown on drugs and illicit brews

    The National Police Service has intensified operations against illicit drugs and toxic brews, declaring a zero-tolerance approach. Coordinated operations across multiple counties have resulted in arrests and seizures of various substances, including illicit brew, cannabis, and packaging materials linked to distribution.

    6 May 2026 · The Standard

Monday 4 May

  1. DCI seeks 14 days to detain suspect in Dr Obwaka death

    The Directorate of Criminal Investigations is seeking a court order to detain Beatrice Wangari for 14 days to complete investigations into the death of Dr Job Obwaka, which the state now suspects may be a poisoning case. A postmortem examination is scheduled and specimen samples will be sent to the Government Chemist for analysis.

    4 May 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 29 April

  1. Forensic evidence presented against preacher Mackenzie in court

    Prosecutors presented forensic evidence and survivor testimony to the Mombasa High Court linking controversial preacher Paul Mackenzie to deaths in Shakahola forest. A forensic expert testified that investigators collected and analyzed samples including DNA from exhumed bodies, following internationally accepted procedures.

    29 April 2026 · Citizen Digital

Government Chemist — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute