The Second Level Domain space allows registrations of one name part before the DOT KE with no specialization e.g. name.ke

The third level domain space allows registration of two name parts before the DOT KE that is, name.co.ke or name.go.ke etc., which defines the function or specialization of the institution, that is co.ke for companies; or.ke for organizations; go.ke for government institutions; ac.ke for higher learning institutions

This first part of the address after www. that you enter into a web browser (e.g. kenic.or.ke) to find a web page on the internet. It is also the last part after the @ sign in an email address. Domains are useful for business and personal use, for having your own website, online shop and email address

This is an individual, company or organization that registers a domain on behalf of the actual domain name owner or Registrant. Internet Service Providers (ISP), Web Designers and Solution Providers are considered Registrars

When you register a domain it is usually registered for an initial period of either 1 year or up to 5 years. Upon expiry of the initial registration period, you need to renew your domain with your registrar. The domain remains yours as long as it registered and active

Once you have chosen and registered it usually takes up to 30 minutes for all the DNS servers across the internet to know about your new domain name. This means that while you might be able to access your domain, your next door neighbour might not if he is using a different DNS server

If a company is paying for you to register the domain name, it should normally be registered under its name as transferring at a later stage is a time-consuming process and may incur additional costs

Those organizations interested in becoming Registrars should:

• Formally apply to KENIC. The formal application letter should be sent by post (or delivered by hand) to KENIC, attention the Chief Executive Officer. Please note that the application letter should also be accompanied by your Company’s Profile detailing your company’s operations, location and abilities. In particular, the company profile should include:

1. Your experience in DNS and DNS server management 2) at least two(2) DNS servers that your company manages and 3) a list of domain names hosted on the nameservers and details

• The KENIC management will evaluate your application within 48 Hours and respond with an approval or Rejection. If approved, you will have to complete the Registrar Accreditation Agreement (in duplicate) and pay the annual membership fees of Kshs. 5,000.00. It is estimated that the process should take 7 working days.

Kindly note that the .KE Registry is still closed and thus to become an Accredited Registrar, your organization must have a local presence, that is, your organization must have an office within the country (Kenya).

How to Register

• .co.ke – for Companies
• .or.ke – for Not-for-Profit-Making Organisations or NGO’s
• .ne.ke – for Network Devices
• .go.ke – for Government Entities. Requires Supporting Documents
• .ac.ke – for Institutions of Higher Educations. Requires Supporting Documents
• .sc.ke – for Lower and Middle Institutes of Learning. Requires Supporting Documents
• .me.ke – for Personal names
• .mobi.ke – for Mobile content
• .info.ke – for Information

Some of the Domain Name extensions require “Supporting Documents” in order for them to be registered. These are:

go.ke

This domain requires supporting documents from the Department of Government IT Services (GITS) at the Ministry of Finance. GITS should give an Authority Letter to show that the Entity is a valid Government institution or Agency and authorized to register the domain name

ac.ke

KENIC will require either a copy of the Certificate of Registration from the relevant Ministry, a copy of the College Charter or a copy of the Act of Parliament that was passed to establish the Institute. The documents MUST bear the name of the Entity. The document should classify the Entity as a Tertiary Institution: Polytechnic, Technical Institute, College or University

sc.ke

KENIC will require a copy of the Certificate of Registration from the Ministry of Education. The document MUST also bear the name of the Entity. The document should classify the Entity as a Kindergarten, Primary or Secondary School.All domains that require supporting documents will generate a ticket that will only be closed by the KENIC Registry Services once the Supporting Documents have been received. Only when the Ticket is closed will the domain be published

KE domain names are registered through accredited KeNIC registrars. You can register a domain name for up to 5 years and set auto-renewals with your registrar to ensure your domain remains active

Licensed Registrars

This is an organization or entity responsible for managing the Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) Name Space as evidenced by their entry in the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) database. KENIC is the .KE Registry operator

KENIC has set up an open mailing list which one can subscribe from the KENIC Discuss Mailing List. Participation in the open forum discussions influences the KENIC policy-making process by consideration of the suggestions and issues raised on this forum