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● Kenya’s Leading KeNIC Accredited Registrar
Register Your Official .or.ke NGO Domain Name
Getting donors to trust your organization is your biggest challenge in Kenya. Establishing that credibility is instant when you secure an official non-profit web identity. Search below to find your name and launch your digital presence in minutes.
Explore Other Kenyan Extensions
.co.ke
Get for KSh 999 / 1st Year.go.ke
Get for KSh 1,000 / 1st Year.ac.ke
Get for KSh 1,000 / 1st Year01 — Pricing
.or.ke Domain Pricing
What you see is what you pay. We do not hide registry overheads or charge surprise setup fees.
REGISTRATION
New Registration
KSh 1,000 / 1st Year
Check name availability above to claim your digital namespace. Active domains resolve globally within minutes.
You complete the setup immediately, as KeNIC does not block the checkout with mandatory document uploads, though your organization must remain compliant with registry audits.
- Instant activation at KeNIC
- Full DNS control panel included
Predictable
RENEWAL RATE
Annual Renewal
KSh 1,500 / Year
Maintain your civic presence and protect your public emails from bouncing.
You can set up automated renewal notices inside your client area.
- Multi-year renewals up to 10 years
- Automated early email notifications
TRANSFER IN
Transfer In
KSh 1,000 / One-time
Move your active domain to Truehost without losing email or web resolution.
Every successful transfer automatically extends your registration term by one full year at no extra cost.
- Free 1-year renewal extension
- Assisted migration from our support
02 — Search Visibility
Get found by Kenyan donors first: The SEO edge of .or.ke over .org
Google reads country-code extensions as a clear geographical signal. Your web pages automatically target Kenyan searches from day one.
Global extensions like .org force you to compete globally for local search terms. Selecting a local extension gives your non-profit a massive visibility advantage inside Kenya.
100%
50%
0%
Query Start
Optimized Content
Top Google Ranks
.or.ke (Local Search Visibility Boost)
.org (Global Indexing Without Local Priority)
Local Search Visibility
A localized URL tells search engine crawlers that your content serves local interests. You rank higher for regional queries without spending budgets on complex optimization campaigns.
This connects your cause directly to local supporters who search for projects in their neighborhoods.
What this means for your group:
- Rank higher for regional community and fundraising search terms.
- Increase click rates because local users trust regional web addresses.
- Lower marketing costs by pulling in natural, high-intent traffic.
03 — Definition
What is a .or.ke Domain?
This is the dedicated Kenyan country-code extension built specifically for non-profit entities. Private individuals and retail businesses cannot use this restricted namespace. This protects your official name from impersonation or domain squatting. Managed by the official registry, it verifies your organization’s commitment to community welfare.
- Restricted namespace. Commercial brands are kept out, leaving clean names for civic projects.
- Donor validation. Supporters instantly recognize your site as an official, non-commercial portal.
- Available names. The restriction means your preferred name is almost certainly open for registration.
.KE Registry Market Share Breakdown
.or.ke Domains
2,142 Active Domains (1.7% Share)
Other .KE Extensions
125,190 Active Domains (98.3% Share)
Only 2,142 Kenyan non-profits hold this verified extension. Reserving yours locks in your brand identity.
04 — Verification
.or.ke Domain Requirements
Any community group, charity, chama, or society can register this extension. The registry limits registrations to maintain a trusted space. Truehost allows you to buy the domain instantly without uploading files at checkout. You only declare your non-profit status, but must keep your registration papers ready for registry checks.
- Civic declaration. You confirm your non-profit status during the quick checkout process.
- Audit readiness. Keep your society certificate, trust deed, or CBO papers on file in case of verification.
- Accredited management. Manage your nameservers through Truehost, a licensed registry partner.
OR.KE Quick Facts
Registry Operator
KeNIC (Kenya)
Domain Type
Restricted ccTLD
Verification Audit
Post-Checkout Only
Domain Registration
Instant Activation
Renewal Grace Period
30 Days (No Penalty)
05 — Eligibility
Who Uses .or.ke Domains?
KeNIC policies define who can hold these domains. If your group falls into one of these classes, you qualify.
01
Charities & NGOs
Non-governmental organizations running community programs in Kenya.
Example: charity.or.ke02
Chamas & Self-Help Groups
Local welfare groups, neighborhood associations, and community-based organizations.
Example: society.or.ke03
Foundations & Trusts
Corporate responsibility arms, family foundations, and philanthropic funds.
Example: foundation.or.ke04
Religious Societies
Churches, mosques, temples, and spiritual community networks.
Example: faith.or.ke06 — Trust Network
Organizations Using .or.ke Domains
Kenya’s leading aid networks, welfare bodies, and foundations already use this extension. Your group belongs on this list.
redcross.or.ke
Kenya Red Cross
amref.or.ke
AMREF Health Africa
fida.or.ke
FIDA Kenya
kepsa.or.ke
Kenya Private Sector Alliance
actionaid.or.ke
ActionAid Kenya
worldvision.or.ke
World Vision Kenya
greenbeltmovement.or.ke
Green Belt Movement
care.or.ke
Care International
07 — What’s Included
Features Included with Your .or.ke Domain
We do not sell essential management features as paid add-ons. Every registration includes full panel access at no extra charge.
DNS Management
Manage your records. Add A, MX, CNAME, TXT, and SRV pointers directly from your client dashboard.
Email Forwarding
Forward incoming mail to your existing personal or administrative inbox for free.
Registrar Lock
Stop unauthorized domain transfers. Keep your records secure from accidental moves.
URL Redirection
Send visitors from your domain to your main site or active social media channels.
Custom Nameservers
Set up branded nameservers like ns1.yourname.or.ke to increase institutional authority.
Local Expert Support
Get fast help from our support team based in Nairobi. Available 24/7/365.
08 — Compare Options
.or.ke Domain Comparison
Different extensions signal different missions. Review the differences below to select the right fit for your group.
.or.ke vs .org
LOCAL VS GLOBALBoth extensions serve non-commercial causes, but they target different search audiences. Here is how they stack up.
.or.ke
Best for Kenyan SEO
.org
Global Coverage
Availability
High (Preferred Names Free)
Availability
Low (Congested)
Audience Trust
Local Authority Verification
Audience Trust
General Public Trust
Best For
Kenyan local NGOs & charities
Best For
Multinational foundations
.or.ke vs .co.ke
NON-PROFIT VS COMMERCIALOne extension is for non-profit entities, while the other is for business. Running a charity on a commercial extension weakens your trust signal.
.or.ke
Restricted (Charities Only)
.co.ke
Unrestricted (Commercial)
Adoption Rate
2,142 Registered Domains
Adoption Rate
113,173 Registered Domains
Verification Rule
Restricted to Non-Profits
Verification Rule
None (Open)
Identity Signal
Legitimate Charitable Cause
Identity Signal
Commercial Retail / Company
09 — Alternatives
Alternatives to .or.ke Domains
Depending on your project’s target audience and structure, you might consider these other popular extensions.
.co.ke
Commercial Enterprises & Companies
For commercialized arms of organizations, social enterprises, or open business ventures.
Price: KSh 999 / Year
Register .co.ke
.ke
High-Visibility Initiatives
Ideal for prominent campaigns, short-form names, or digital services that need to be short and memorable.
Price: KSh 3,000 / Year
Register .ke
.org
Global NGOs & Foundations
For international non-profits, global charities, and institutions targeting an audience outside Kenya.
Price: KSh 1,200 / Year
Register .org
.com
International & Commerce
The standard choice for international reach, commercial projects, and foreign trade relations.
Price: KSh 999 / Year
Register .com
10 — Behind the Registry
Who Manages the .or.ke Registry?
KeNIC is the non-profit organization established in 2002 to manage Kenya’s national domain database.
It runs as a joint partnership between the Communications Authority of Kenya and local technology associations.
While KeNIC operates the registry, they do not sell domains directly. Instead, they authorize accredited registrars like Truehost to handle registrations, billing, and technical support.
Registry Compliance Policy:
Every domain must comply with registry dispute resolution policies to protect active trademarks. Registry DNS servers are hosted inside Nairobi for fast local name resolution.
ccTLD Chain
KeNIC (Registry)
Governs DNS & Database
Truehost (Registrar)
Vets & Provisions Orders
Registrant (NGO / Charity)
Your Organisation / Foundation
11 — Domain Lifecycle
What Happens If Your .or.ke Domain Expires?
Missing a domain renewal date triggers a series of grace periods. If left unpaid, the domain is eventually deleted and released for public registration.
01
Resolving
Active State
1 – 5 Year TermThe domain is fully functional, resolving to your servers. You can renew it at normal price anytime.
02
Expired
Auto-Renew Grace
1 – 30 Days Post-ExpiryResolution stops. Web and email go offline. Owner can renew at standard cost without penalty fees.
03
Locked
Redemption Grace
31 – 75 Days Post-ExpiryLocked by KeNIC. Requires a restore penalty plus renewal fee to recover.
04
Deleting
Pending Delete
5 DaysQueued for deletion. Cannot be restored, renewed, or transferred at this stage.
05
Available
Released
Day 81+Completely purged. Re-released into the public registry for fresh registrations.
12 — Late Renewal Cost
Renewing On Time Costs KSh 1,500. Restoring Late Costs Ksh 6,500.
Lapsing into redemption is expensive. Review the table below to see the cost difference between timely renewal and late recovery.
Scroll to view more
| Status Period | Timeline | Action Required | Total Cost (Ksh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-Time Renewal | Before Expiry Date | Standard Renewal | KSh 1,500 |
| Auto-Renew Grace | 1 – 30 Days Post-Expiry | Standard Renewal | KSh 1,500 |
| Redemption Recovery | 31 – 75 Days Post-Expiry | Registry Restore Order | Ksh 6,500 (Includes Restore + 1-Yr Renewal) |
| After Day 81 | Post-Deletion | Fresh Public Registration | KSh 1,000 (Risk of losing name) |
13 — Registration Steps
How to Register a .or.ke Domain Name
Securing your extension is a fully automated process. Search for your name, select your options, and checkout to activate. Most domains go live globally within minutes.
1
Search Your Name
Type your organization’s name in our domain check tool to confirm availability.
Since this extension is restricted, your preferred name is almost certainly free.
2
Checkout and Pay
Pay instantly using M-Pesa or card. We also process LPOs and bank transfers for formal groups.
Truehost supports formal invoice processing or bank check payments for registered organizations.
3
Point Your Nameservers
Configure your nameservers in the client portal to link the domain to your web host.
Our support team is available 24/7 to help link your domain to your website and email provider.
4
Go Live Instantly
Your web and email accounts activate. Keep your certificates ready in case of registry checks.
Enjoy a clean, verified non-profit namespace that builds donor trust immediately.
14 — Migration
How to Transfer a .or.ke Domain Name to Truehost
Already registered with another provider? Transfer your domain to Truehost to enjoy a free renewal extension and consolidated support.
A
Request EPP Code
Unlock the domain at your current registrar and copy your EPP authorization code.
Your current provider is legally required to release the code without delay.
B
Place Transfer Order
Submit your transfer order at Truehost. The order automatically adds a 1-year renewal extension.
This purchase automatically renews your domain for an additional year at no extra cost.
C
Confirm Registry Email
Click the verification link in the automated registry email to complete the migration.
The domain transfers in 1–5 days. Your website and email continue running without any interruption.
15 — Brand Protection
.or.ke Domain Brand Protection
Securing both local and global extensions is standard practice for established NGOs. This blocks impostors from hijacking your cause and captures all local and global donor traffic.
Dual-Domain Protection
International foundations look for global authority, while local communities trust regional presence.
Registering both domains allows you to point them to a single website. You capture all search queries and secure your identity.
1
International Fundraising (.org)
Use the global .org extension for international grant writing and global donor outreach.
2
Local Operations (.or.ke)
Use the local .or.ke extension for tax compliance, local partners, and community programs inside Kenya.
Preventing Impersonation
Scammers often register similar names under open extensions to siphon donations. Locking down your brand across both .or.ke and .org keeps your reputation secure.
Domain Redirects
Forward your secondary domain to your main website at no extra cost.
Brand Security
Lock down your non-profit name across both key extensions.
16 — Complete Your Stack
Web Hosting and Professional Email for .or.ke Domains
Your web address is just the first step. You still need web space and official email to run your programs. We offer the full toolkit under one roof.
17 — Hosting Promotion
Free .or.ke Domain with Shared Hosting
Claim your domain name for free by purchasing a shared cloud hosting package. Choose the tier that matches your community outreach scale.
Webhosting Starter with FREE DOMAIN
Ksh 208.33
Ksh 188/mo
Select Plan
Ksh 188/mo when billed triennially.
- FREE DOMAIN .or.ke/.club/.top/.buzz/.xyz/.shop
- Hosts 10 Websites
- WordPress Hosting & other CMS
- ~25,000 visits monthly
- Free Website Migrations
- 30 GB SSD Storage
- 1-click Installer
Webhosting Pro with FREE DOMAIN
Ksh 437.5
Ksh 394/mo
Select Plan
Ksh 394/mo when billed triennially.
- FREE DOMAIN .or.ke/.co.ke/.club/.top/.buzz/.xyz/.shop
- Hosts 30 Websites
- WordPress Hosting & other CMS
- 50 GB SSD Storage
- 1-click Installer
- Free automated SSL
- Unlimited bandwidth
Webhosting Unlimited with FREE DOMAIN
Ksh 1,812.5
Ksh 1,632/mo
Select Plan
Ksh 1,632/mo when billed triennially.
- FREE DOMAIN .or.ke/.co.ke/.com/.club/.top/.buzz/.xyz/.shop
- Hosts Unlimited Websites
- WordPress Hosting & other CMS
- Free Website Migrations
- Unmetered SSD Storage
- 1-click Installer
- Free automated SSL
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Sign up with confidence. If our service isn’t what you expected, cancel within 30 days for a full refund. No questions asked.
18 — Common Questions
.or.ke Domain FAQs
Answers to common questions about eligibility, documentation, payment options, and setup durations.
Do I need a registration certificate to register a .or.ke domain?
No. You do not need to submit a registration certificate to complete checkout and activate your domain. Registration is fully automated and instant. However, because the extension is strictly reserved for non-profit entities (NGOs, welfare groups, trusts, and churches), the KeNIC registry retains the right to audit and verify your credentials in the future. You should keep your NGO Board certificate, Society Certificate, or Trust Deed ready in case of a compliance review.
Can I pay for my domain name using M-Pesa?
Yes. You can pay instantly using M-Pesa. During the checkout process, select M-Pesa as your payment method, enter your Safaricom phone number, and you will receive an STK PIN prompt on your phone to authorize the transaction. We also accept local credit/debit cards, bank transfers (EFT/RTGS), and Local Purchase Orders (LPOs) for registered institutions.
What is the difference between .org and .or.ke for an NGO?
The primary difference is geographic focus and trust verification. A .or.ke domain is a country-code extension showing that your charity operates locally in Kenya, giving your website an organic SEO boost in local Google search results. A .org domain is a global extension. Many Kenyan non-profits register both extensions to protect their brand name from copycats and capture both global and local supporters.
Can a community welfare group or chama register a .or.ke domain?
Yes. Any registered society, self-help group, neighborhood association, community-based organization (CBO), or chama qualifies for a .or.ke domain. If your group is registered with the Registrar of Societies or the Ministry of Gender and Social Services, you meet the eligibility criteria.
How long does it take for the domain name to go live?
Your domain is registered and active in the registry immediately after payment. Global DNS propagation usually takes between 1 to 4 hours, after which your website and custom non-profit email accounts will be fully functional.