KE Extensions: Choosing a domain name feels simple until you open a registrar page and see ten different Kenyan options staring back at you.
Should you go with .co.ke? Is .ke better? What even is .ne.ke for?
This guide walks through every one of the KE extensions, who each one is built for, and what it costs to own one.
By the end, you will know exactly which extension fits your business, school, or personal project, and how to register it without any guesswork.
What Are KE Extensions?
KE extensions are the domain endings tied to Kenya’s country code, .ke.
They are managed by the Kenya Network Information Centre, known as KeNIC, which runs the registry under an agreement with ICANN, the global body that oversees internet naming.
KeNIC does not sell domains directly to the public.
Instead, it works through a network of accredited registrars, and Olitt is one of the places Kenyan businesses use to search, buy, and manage these names.
Every KE extension falls into one of two groups: open to anyone, or restricted to a specific type of entity.
Knowing which group your idea fits into saves you time before you even start typing a name into a search box.
Second-Level vs Third-Level KE Extensions
This part trips up a lot of first-time buyers, so let’s break it down plainly.
Second-Level Domains
A second-level domain sits directly under .ke, with nothing in between.
An example would be yourbrand.ke.
These names are short, easy to remember, and carry a premium feel because KeNIC only opened this format for registration in 2017.
Third-Level Domains
A third-level domain adds a category tag before .ke, such as yourbrand.co.ke or yourbrand.or.ke.
This format has been around since the 1990s and remains the most common choice across Kenya.
Third-level names are split further into two buckets by KeNIC: generic extensions that almost anyone can register, and restricted extensions that need proof of eligibility.
The Full List of KE Extensions
Here is every extension KeNIC currently offers, grouped by type.
| Extension | Who It’s For | Documents Needed |
| .ke | Anyone (brands, individuals, businesses) | None |
| .co.ke | Companies and commercial ventures | None |
| .or.ke | Non-profits, NGOs, associations | Certificate of non-profit registration |
| .ne.ke | ISPs, tech firms, network operators | None |
| .me.ke | Individuals, freelancers, personal blogs | None |
| .mobi.ke | Mobile apps and mobile-first sites | None |
| .info.ke | News sites, directories, informational content | None |
| .ac.ke | Universities and colleges | Charter or Ministry of Education letter |
| .sc.ke | Primary and secondary schools, kindergartens | Ministry of Education registration letter |
| .go.ke | Government ministries and agencies | Authorization letter from the ICT Authority |
If you want a deeper breakdown of how Kenyan companies actually use these names in practice, our full Kenyan domains guide walks through real examples across every category.
Generic KE Extensions You Can Register Today
These are open extensions. Anyone can register one without submitting extra paperwork.
1) .ke for Short, Premium Branding
Going with the bare .ke extension gives you a short, punchy web address.
It works well if your brand name is already memorable and you want the domain to match.
Because it signals a strong tie to Kenya, it also tends to build quick trust with local visitors.
2) .co.ke for Businesses
This is the extension most Kenyan companies reach for first.
Retailers, agencies, and startups use it because it reads as commercial and credible, similar to how .com works globally.
Safaricom, KCB, and countless smaller shops all sit on .co.ke addresses.
3) .or.ke for Non-Profits
If you run a charity, foundation, or membership association, .or.ke is the natural fit.
It signals your non-profit status right in the address bar, which matters when you are asking donors or partners to trust you.
You will need a copy of your registration certificate to complete the setup.
4) .ne.ke for Tech and Network Businesses
This extension was built for internet service providers, network hardware companies, and IT firms.
It is less common than .co.ke, so it can also work as a smart pick if you want a distinctive address in the tech space.
5) .me.ke for Personal Branding
Freelancers, consultants, and creators use .me.ke to build a personal site that feels less corporate.
It suits portfolios, personal blogs, and one-person consulting businesses.
6) .mobi.ke for Mobile-First Projects
This one is reserved for content and services built around mobile use.
Betting platforms, mobile games, and app landing pages in Kenya often pick this extension to hint at their mobile focus before a visitor even clicks.
7) .info.ke for Content and News Sites
Directories, knowledge bases, and news outlets often choose .info.ke.
It tells a visitor right away that the site exists to inform rather than sell.
Restricted KE Extensions and Their Requirements
These three extensions need proof before KeNIC or your registrar will approve them.
i) .ac.ke is for universities, colleges, and research institutions. You will need your institution’s charter, an Act of Parliament, or a Certificate of Registration from the relevant ministry.
ii) .sc.ke covers primary schools, secondary schools, and kindergartens. A Ministry of Education letter naming your institution is required.
iii) .go.ke is locked to government ministries and agencies. Applicants need an authorization letter from Kenya’s ICT Authority confirming the entity is a legitimate government body.
Because these extensions carry extra verification, approval usually takes a few working days rather than the instant activation you get with open extensions.
How Much Do KE Extensions Cost
Pricing across KE extensions is fairly consistent, regardless of category.
- Open extensions such as .co.ke, .me.ke, .ne.ke, .mobi.ke, and .info.ke typically run between KSh 999 and KSh 1,200 for registration and renewal.
- The short .ke second-level domain sits close to KSh 3,000 for a first year, reflecting its premium, shorter format.
- Restricted extensions like .ac.ke, .sc.ke, and .go.ke are usually priced around KSh 1,000, with the extra cost being your time gathering documents rather than the domain fee itself.
Compared to many international extensions, KE extensions stay affordable, which is part of why they remain popular with small businesses and solo founders across the country.
Why Choose a KE Extension Over a .com
A KE extension does something a generic .com cannot: it tells Kenyan visitors, and Kenyan search engines, that you belong here.
Google tends to favor country-specific domains for location-based searches, so a .co.ke site can outrank a .com competitor for terms tied to Kenya.
There is also a trust factor. Kenyan shoppers, students, and donors often feel more confident dealing with a business that carries a local address.
If you want to see how this plays out in real life, our collection of active KE domain examples shows how banks, schools, and government bodies each picked the extension that matched their identity.
Many international companies entering the Kenyan market register a KE extension for exactly this reason, even while keeping their global .com address running elsewhere.
How to Register Your KE Extension With Olitt
Getting a KE extension does not need to be complicated. Here is the process, step by step.
- Head to the Olitt domain search tool and type in the name you want, followed by your chosen extension.
- Check the availability results that come back instantly.
- Pay using M-PESA, card, or bank transfer.
- Once approved, connect your new domain to a website using the Olitt builder, or point your DNS records to an existing site.
Open extensions are usually live within minutes. Restricted ones may take a day or two while documents get reviewed.
If you are starting from scratch, pairing your new domain with the Olitt AI website builder means you can have a working site published the same day your domain goes live.
Common Mistakes People Make With KE Extensions
A few small errors show up again and again, so it is worth naming them directly.
Picking the wrong category. A personal blog registered under .co.ke can look odd to visitors expecting a business. Match the extension to what you actually do.
Skipping renewal dates. Most KE extensions come with a grace period of around 90 days after expiry, but once that window closes, someone else can claim your name.
Underestimating document delays. If you are applying for .ac.ke, .sc.ke, or .go.ke, gather your paperwork early rather than waiting until launch week.
Ignoring mobile design. A large share of Kenyan visitors browse on phones, so your KE extension deserves a site that loads fast and looks clean on small screens.
A Quick Recap
Kenya offers ten KE extensions through KeNIC, split between open options anyone can register and restricted ones tied to schools, universities, and government bodies.
Pricing stays affordable across the board, usually landing between KSh 999 and KSh 3,000 depending on the format you choose.
The right pick depends on what you are building: a business leans toward .co.ke, a charity toward .or.ke, a personal brand toward .me.ke, and so on.
According to Wikipedia’s record of the .ke registry, the extension has been active since 1993 and continues to grow in popularity across the country each year, which says a lot about how much trust Kenyans place in a local domain.
You can check the official KeNIC registry page for policy updates, but for the actual buying and setup process, Olitt keeps things fast, local, and beginner-friendly.
Ready to claim yours? Search your name on Olitt’s domain page and get your KE extension live today.
