A domain name is a special address your readers can use to access your website. 

For example, truehost.co.ke is our domain name. Without it, it would be near impossible for you to access our website.

You can’t just give a domain such as example.com to your customers and then sit back and enjoy the profits. You need to own a domain name to successfully market your products or services. 

A domain name is the legal property of the owner, and it can be registered with the .CO.KE, .COM, .NET, .ORG, .BIZ, or .INFO domains. 

Before we look at the common types of domain names, you might be wondering if all of these, domain name registration in Kenya, is necessary.

The cost varies by registrar but typically ranges from 750 to 1500 annually.

Special promotions like our KES 499 offer may cut down your registration cost for the first year. Renewal prices ranges from KES 1200 to 2000.

At Truehost, we are currently running a limited time offer of just KSh 999 for your first year, and just KSh 1,200 when you renew

In order to register a domain name in Kenya, you will need to know the following: 

A list of names you would like to use for your domain

Valid email address

At least Ksh 800 in your MPESA. Remember domain registration services in Kenya attract a 16% VAT.

You need to know that you cannot change a domain name.

Once you’ve registered a domain, it stays that way untill it expires (usually one year).

So, what do you do if you misspell or change your mind on a registered domain?

Sadly, you will have to register a new domain. You could then redirect the old domain to point to your new one.

No, you cannot register a .com domain for free under standard circumstances.

The .com TLD is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) managed by Verisign and sold through accredited registrars like Truehost, who charge a fee for registration (typically $10–$20 USD annually, or roughly KES 1,300–2,600 at current exchange rates).

However, there are a few indirect ways you might get a .com domain without paying upfront:

• Bundled Offers: Some Kenyan web hosting provider offer a “free” .com domain for the first year when you purchase a hosting plan. After the initial year, you’ll pay renewal fees (around KES 1,699-2,000).
  
• Promotions: Occasionally, registrars run promotions where some domain extensions are discounted or included free with another service, but these are rare and time-limited.
  
• Free Subdomains: Platforms like WordPress.com or Weebly offer free subdomains (e.g., yourname.wordpress.com), but these aren’t true .com domains you own.

For a standalone .com registration in Kenya, expect to pay a fee, there’s no fully free option from reputable registrars.

Globally, domain costs depend on the TLD, registrar, and market demand, but here’s a general guide as of 2025:

• Popular gTLDs:
  • .com: $10–$20 USD/year (KES 1,300–2,600).
  • .org, .net: $9–$15 USD/year (KES 1,170–1,950).
    
• New gTLDs: .xyz, .club, .shop: $1–$15 USD/year (KES 130–1,950), often discounted in the first year.
  
• ccTLDs: Country-specific domains like .ke vary widely.
  
  In Kenya, .co.ke is KES 499–1,500, while others (e.g., .uk, .ca) might range from $8–$20 USD/year depending on the country’s registry.
  
• Premium Domains: Short, memorable, or keyword-rich names (e.g., cars.com) can cost thousands or millions, sold via aftermarket platforms like GoDaddy Auctions.

Costs can drop with promotions or multi-year registrations (up to 10 years for some TLDs), but renewals are always required to maintain ownership.

The most used domain in Kenya is .co.ke.

This is a second-level domain under the .ke country code top-level domain (ccTLD), which is managed by the Kenya Network Information Centre (KeNIC).

It is specifically designed for commercial entities, such as businesses and companies, making it the go-to choice for Kenyan organizations looking to establish a professional and locally trusted online presence.

Usually a few minutes. Once payment is confirmed, your domain becomes active.

Yes. You can transfer most domains (.com, .net, .org, .ke, etc.) easily.

All we need is an EPP/Auth code. You can obtain this from your current registrar either via their dashboard, or on request

No. You can secure your domain today and build your site later.

You can turn on auto-renew in your account settings to keep your domain active without interruptions.

It is advisable to register more than one domain name when you are starting a business in Kenya. This helps protect your brand from domain squatters.

If you own the .com extension, for example, someone else could register the .org extension and direct traffic away from your site.

By registering these extensions as well, you will be able to keep control of all of the traffic coming to your site.

Here are some of the ways you can use a second domain:

• Register a second website using a different TLD.
• Create a second website for your blog.
• Register a second website for your business