Extension
.ke
.ke in short
The .ke domain is the country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Kenya, delegated in 1993 and managed by KeNIC. It is open to registrants worldwide with valid contact details, and since 2017 names can be registered directly at the second level (example.ke) as well as under .co.ke and others.
.ke at a glance
Type
ccTLD — Country-code top-level domain
Registry
KeNIC — Kenya Network Information Centre
Launched
1993
Country / scope
Kenya
Restrictions
Open to anyone with verifiable contact details; some second levels need documents
Typical price
$30/yr
Example sites
Kenyan business, media & gov sites
Source: IANA root zone database & registry data · methodology
Where to register a .ke domain
Eligibility rules apply — check the requirements above before registering. Prices are indicative and set by each registrar; renewal rates may differ from first-year promotions. Links may be sponsored. tldlist.us is an independent reference and not a registrar.
What does .ke mean?
The .ke extension is the national domain of Kenya, the East African economic hub. It was delegated in 1993 and is administered by KeNIC, the Kenya Network Information Centre, a non-profit that regulates the namespace in the public interest.
Traditionally Kenyan sites lived under descriptive second levels — .co.ke for companies, .or.ke for organisations, .ac.ke for academia, .go.ke for government. Since 2017 KeNIC has also allowed shorter names registered directly at the second level, such as example.ke.
Who uses .ke?
Kenyan companies, banks, media, schools and government. Household names like the telecoms operator safaricom.co.ke and the publisher standardmedia.co.ke anchor the namespace, and a .ke address signals a genuine local presence to Kenyan customers.
International businesses serving East Africa also register, both to localise and to protect their brand. The newer direct .ke names are increasingly popular for short, modern branding.
.ke registration rules and requirements
Registration is effectively open: anyone, anywhere can register, but KeNIC requires accurate, verifiable contact details and businesses must supply legitimate organisation information. There is no general residency rule for the common second levels, though some restricted labels (such as government or academic ones) require supporting documents proving eligibility.
How much does a .ke cost?
Direct .ke names are on the higher side at international registrars, commonly around $30 per year, while the everyday .co.ke second level is much cheaper, often under $10 through Kenyan registrars. Choose the level that matches your budget and the look you want.
Is .ke good for SEO?
For a Kenyan or East African audience, .ke and .co.ke act as a geo-signal toward Kenya, supporting local relevance — valuable if your market is domestic. The same association narrows international reach. There is no ranking penalty and no inherent boost beyond geo-targeting. See how to compare and choose a TLD.
.ke vs alternatives
For a Kenyan business the practical choice is the short direct .ke versus the established .co.ke, or a global .com for reach. Among African codes it is one of the better-organised namespaces, with clear second-level structure and an open general policy.
.ke pros and cons
Pros
- A clear “this is Kenyan” signal for the local market.
- Open to anyone with valid, verifiable contact details.
- Short direct .ke names available since 2017.
- Established .co.ke second level is cheap and trusted.
Cons
- Direct .ke is pricier than .co.ke.
- Some second levels require supporting documents.
- Geo-signal limits international reach.
- Less recognised abroad than .com.
Example .ke websites
- safaricom.co.ke — Kenya's largest telecoms and M-Pesa operator.
- standardmedia.co.ke — The Standard, a major Kenyan news publisher.
- Direct .ke brands — newer short names registered straight under .ke since 2017.
.ke — frequently asked questions
What is the .ke domain?
The .ke domain is the country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Kenya, delegated in 1993 and managed by KeNIC (the Kenya Network Information Centre). It is open to registrants worldwide with valid contact details, and since 2017 names can be registered directly at the second level (example.ke) as well as under .co.ke and other labels.
Who can register a .ke domain?
Anyone, anywhere can register a .ke domain, provided they give accurate, verifiable contact details. There is no general residency rule for the common second levels, though some restricted labels (such as government or academic) require supporting documents.
How much does a .ke domain cost?
Direct .ke names commonly cost around $30 per year at international registrars, while the everyday .co.ke second level is much cheaper, often under $10 through Kenyan registrars.
What is the difference between .ke and .co.ke?
.ke is the shorter, newer second-level option allowed since 2017 (example.ke). .co.ke is the long-established second level for Kenyan companies and is usually cheaper and more widely recognised locally.