Kenya has finally approved registration of what are called Second Level Domains. This means it will now be possible to register and use domain names like helb.ke rather than helb.co.ke (or in addition to). KENET shall also be adopting the domain kenet.ke rather than the longer kenet.or.ke or kenet.ac.ke.

Unfortunately, this shorter domain names are considered “premium domain names” and attract higher registration and annual subscription charges. For example, we have been paying about Ksh 1,000 per year for your .ac.ke or or.ke domains and it has been part of your membership benefit ( KENET is a licensed sub-domain registrar and we register or renew subscriptions on behalf of all members; we also maintain the domain records). Premium second level domain shall not be part of the membership services but you will pay for them separately.

Roll out of second level domains shall be over three periods with some strange names (Internet is very American as you can imagine):

1. The SUNRISE period of 90 days starts on July 23, 2017 and allows all existing .ke domain owners (e.g., University of Nairobi) to reserve and register their preferred domain names. You can register as many as you need for your organization. The price per domain shall be Ksh 10,000 per year.

2. The LANDRUSH period of 30 days shall follow the SUNRISE and allows others who did not have .ke domains to register their domain names. The price during this period is Ksh 9,000 per domain name per year. If you are late or miss the SUNRISE, it is then possible to register your domain. At this time, it is possible for others organizations or individuals to register your unprotected names (e.g., someone could register kenet.ke if we did not register the domain name in SUNRISE). DOT KE domains can be registered by any organization anywhere in the world for their own branding purposes. PROTECT YOUIR BRAND early.

3. General availability period - starts 150 days from July 23, 2017 and allows anybody to register second level domains. The price shall be Ksh 8,000 per year.

Do you have some people responsible for Internet marketing or branding in your organization? It is good to get their advice on the domain names selection and what names need to be protected. 

Prof. Meoli Kashorda,

Executive Director - KENET