How to Register a .co.ke Domain in Nairobi

July 28, 2025 Ehost Kenya

 How to Register a .co.ke Domain in Nairobi

Registering a .co.ke domain is a smart move if you’re targeting the Kenyan market. It’s a trusted domain extension that gives your brand a local identity. Here’s a complete step-by-step guide:

 Step-by-Step Process

1. Choose a Relevant Domain Name

  • Make it short, easy to spell, and relevant to your business or brand.

  • Avoid hyphens and numbers if possible.

  • Examples:

    • For a bakery: nairobicakes.co.ke

    • For a hardware shop: cityhardware.co.ke

2. Check Domain Availability

  • Go to a Kenyan registrar’s website and search for your desired domain.

  • If it’s taken, try slight variations or use a different extension (like .ke or .or.ke).

3. Select a KeNIC-Accredited Registrar

Ensure the registrar is recognized by KeNIC, the official registry for .ke domains.

Top Nairobi-based registrars include:

4. Create Your Account

  • Register an account on the registrar’s website.

  • Provide correct contact details – they’ll be used for domain management and renewal reminders.

5. Register Your Domain

  • Use the search tool to find your domain.

  • If available, add it to your cart.

  • Choose the registration period (1 to 10 years).

  • Add extra services like hosting or email if needed.

6. Submit Business or Personal Details

For .co.ke, you may be required to enter:

  • Business name and registration certificate (for companies)

  • National ID/Passport details (for individuals)

  • Kenyan address and phone number

7. Make Payment

  • Pay securely via:

    • M-Pesa

    • Airtel Money

    • Credit/Debit card

    • PayPal (depending on the registrar)

  • Registration costs typically range from KSh 999 to KSh 2,500/year.

8. Domain Activation

  • Once payment is confirmed, your domain will be activated.

  • You’ll receive confirmation via email with login details to your domain control panel.

 What to Do After Registration

  • Connect Your Domain to a Website: Get web hosting from the same registrar or a third-party provider.

  • Set Up Business Email: Use professional email addresses like info@yourbusiness.co.ke.

  • Protect Your Domain: Enable auto-renewal or set reminders to avoid expiration.

  • Add SSL Certificate: Secure your domain with HTTPS for customer trust and better SEO.

 Benefits of Registering a .co.ke Domain

  • Builds trust with local customers

  • Improves SEO for Kenyan searches

  • Shows commitment to the Kenyan market

  • Can be used with Kenyan-based payment and hosting services

  • Ideal for government licensing and tenders that require local ownership

Pro Tip:

Register multiple versions of your domain to protect your brand:

  • yourbrand.co.ke

  • yourbrand.ke

  • yourbrand.com

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