How to Register a .co.ke Domain Name in Kenya (2026 Guide)
How to Register a .co.ke Domain Name
A domain name is your business's address online - yourbusiness.co.ke - and the foundation of your website and professional email. Kenya's country domain, .ke, is managed by the Kenya Network Information Centre (KeNIC) and sold through accredited registrars.
Kenyan Domain Extensions
| Extension | For | Documents needed |
|---|---|---|
| .co.ke | Companies and businesses | None for most registrations |
| .or.ke | Non-profit organisations | Usually none |
| .ac.ke | Universities and colleges | Proof of accreditation |
| .sc.ke | Schools | Proof of registration |
| .go.ke | Government bodies | Government authorisation |
| .me.ke and .info.ke | Personal and information sites | None |
Price
A .co.ke domain typically costs about KES 1,000 to KES 1,500 a year through local registrars. Watch out for very cheap first-year offers with much higher renewal prices - check the renewal price before buying.
Choosing a Good Name
- Keep it short and easy to spell when said aloud.
- Use your business name, or a close variation.
- Avoid hyphens and numbers where possible.
- Check social media handles are available too.
- Consider registering both .co.ke and .com versions to protect your brand.
Step-by-Step
- Choose a KeNIC-accredited registrar - see our domain registrars ranking.
- Search the name on the registrar's website.
- Add it to your cart and choose the registration period (one year or more).
- Enter the registrant details - your business or personal name, email and phone. Register the domain in your own name, not your web designer's.
- Pay by M-Pesa or card.
- Confirm the verification email you receive.
After Registering
- Point the domain to your hosting by setting nameservers or DNS records.
- Set up business email on the domain - see our Tifamail setup guide.
- Turn on auto-renew so you never lose the domain by accident.
- Keep your registrar login safe and in the business's control.
Transferring a Domain
You can move a .ke domain to another registrar using the transfer authorisation code from your current registrar. Make sure the domain is not about to expire and the registrant email is one you can access.
.co.ke or .com?
| Consideration | .co.ke | .com |
|---|---|---|
| Signals | A Kenyan business | A global or international brand |
| Local search | Helps Google understand you serve Kenya | Neutral |
| Availability | Short names are more often available | Many short names are taken |
| Typical price | About KES 1,000 to 1,500 a year | About KES 1,500 to 2,500 a year |
| Best for | Businesses serving Kenyan customers | Exporters, startups targeting global markets |
Many businesses register both and point one to the other, so customers reach the site whichever they type.
Understanding DNS Records
Once you own a domain, its DNS records tell the internet where to send visitors and email:
| Record | What it does |
|---|---|
| Nameservers (NS) | Decide which provider manages your DNS |
| A record | Points the domain to your website server's IP address |
| CNAME | Points a subdomain, such as www, to another name |
| MX | Tells the world where to deliver your email |
| TXT | Holds verification and email security records such as SPF and DMARC |
If you use a web host's nameservers, you usually manage these records in the host's control panel. Changes can take from minutes to 48 hours to spread.
Renewals and Expiry
Domains are rented, not owned forever. If a domain expires, your website and email stop working, and after a grace period the name can be released for anyone to register. To avoid that:
- Turn on auto-renew with a valid payment method
- Use a registrant email you check regularly, not a former employee's address
- Consider registering for two or more years
- Keep the registrar login in a shared company password manager
Common Mistakes
- Letting the web designer register the domain in their name. Always be the registrant.
- Choosing a name that is hard to say on the phone or radio.
- Ignoring trademark issues. Avoid names that copy established brands.
- Buying from unaccredited resellers who cannot transfer the domain easily later.
- Forgetting email when changing hosts. Moving nameservers without copying MX records can break email.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an individual register a .co.ke domain? Yes. .co.ke is intended for commercial use, but registrars generally allow individuals and sole traders to register.
How long does registration take? Usually minutes. The domain starts working once you point it to hosting.
Can I get email on my domain without a website? Yes. Email and websites are separate services; you can use a domain only for email - see our Tifamail setup guide.
What if the name I want is taken? Try a variation, a different extension, or check whether the current owner is willing to sell. Avoid long, hyphenated alternatives.
Protecting Your Brand Online
Once your main domain is registered, consider protecting your brand further:
- Register common misspellings of your name if customers are likely to mistype it.
- Secure matching social media handles on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and LinkedIn.
- Register a trademark with the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI) if your brand is valuable - a domain alone does not give legal trademark protection.
- Use registry lock or two-step sign-in on your registrar account where available, to stop unauthorised transfers.
A domain is one of the cheapest assets your business owns, but losing it can cost you your website, your email and years of search ranking.