.ac.ke Domain Registration Requirements

Key Requirements Summary

• Eligibility: Reserved exclusively for tertiary institutions of higher learning including universities, colleges, polytechnics, and technical institutes registered in Kenya
• Supporting Documents Required: Certificate of Registration from the Ministry of Education, College Charter, or Act of Parliament establishing the institution
• Document Verification: All documents must clearly bear the institution’s name and classify it as a tertiary educational institution
• Registration Period: Minimum one-year registration with renewal options up to five years
• Processing Time: Approximately seven days for domain approval and publication
• KENIC Accreditation: Must register through a KENIC-accredited registrar
• Domain Specifications: Between 3 and 63 characters, using letters, numbers, and hyphens only
• No Refunds: Domain registrations are generally non-refundable once processed

Understanding the .ac.ke Domain Extension

The .ac.ke domain extension represents one of Kenya’s most prestigious and restricted domain categories. Managed by the Kenya Network Information Centre (KENIC), which operates under the Communication Authority of Kenya, this domain extension serves as the digital identity for institutions of higher learning throughout the country. Unlike more general extensions such as .co.ke or .or.ke, the .ac.ke domain is strictly regulated to maintain its academic integrity and ensure that only legitimate educational institutions can use it.

This exclusivity serves an important purpose in Kenya’s digital ecosystem. When students, researchers, parents, and partners see a .ac.ke domain, they can trust that they’re interacting with an officially recognized academic institution. This builds credibility and protects the public from fraudulent entities posing as educational institutions online.

Eligibility Criteria for .ac.ke Domains

Not every educational organization qualifies for a .ac.ke domain. KENIC specifically reserves this extension for tertiary institutions including universities, polytechnics, technical institutes, and colleges that are properly registered in Kenya. Primary schools, secondary schools, and kindergartens fall under the .sc.ke extension instead, which has its own separate requirements.

The institution must be fully registered with the appropriate Kenyan government ministry and possess official documentation proving its status as a higher learning institution. Private institutions, public universities, and government-sponsored technical colleges all qualify, provided they meet the registration requirements and can provide the necessary supporting documentation.

Required Documentation and Application Process

The documentation requirements for .ac.ke registration are stringent and non-negotiable. Applicants must submit either a Certificate of Registration from the relevant ministry, a copy of the college charter, or a copy of the Act of Parliament that established the institution. These documents serve as proof of the institution’s legitimacy and authorization to operate as an educational facility in Kenya.

Critically, all submitted documents must clearly display the institution’s official name exactly as it appears in government records. Any discrepancy between the domain name application and the supporting documentation can result in rejection or delays. The documents should also explicitly classify the entity as a tertiary institution, whether that’s as a university, college, polytechnic, or technical institute.

For institutions seeking to register a .ac.ke domain, the process begins with selecting a KENIC-accredited registrar. These authorized registrars handle the technical aspects of domain registration and serve as intermediaries between the institution and KENIC. Once you’ve chosen your preferred domain name and verified its availability, you’ll submit your application along with the required documentation.

Technical Specifications and Domain Rules

The technical requirements for .ac.ke domains follow standard conventions with some specific restrictions. Domain names must be between 3 and 63 characters long and can only contain letters, numbers, and hyphens. Hyphens cannot appear at the beginning or end of the domain name, nor can they be used consecutively. Special characters, spaces, and underscores are prohibited.

The domain name should ideally reflect your institution’s official name or commonly used abbreviation to maintain brand consistency and help users easily identify your institution online. Many Kenyan universities use abbreviations or shortened versions of their names for their .ac.ke domains.

Registration Timeline and Approval Process

Unlike some domain extensions that offer instant registration, .ac.ke domains require manual verification by KENIC. The typical processing time is approximately seven days, though this can vary depending on the completeness of your documentation and the current volume of applications being processed.

During this period, KENIC registry services review your supporting documents to verify your institution’s eligibility. The registration creates a support ticket that remains open until all documentation has been received and verified. Only after KENIC closes this ticket will your domain be published and become active on the internet.

Institutions should plan ahead when registering a .ac.ke domain, especially if the domain is needed for a specific event, semester start, or marketing campaign. The seven-day processing period does not include the time needed to gather and submit proper documentation, so starting the process well in advance is advisable.

Maintaining Your .ac.ke Domain

Once registered, .ac.ke domains require annual renewal to remain active. The minimum registration period is one year, though most registrars offer the option to register for multiple years upfront, with some allowing up to five years. Pricing varies among KENIC-accredited registrars, so institutions should compare services and renewal costs before making their selection.

Domain transfers between registrars are possible, and institutions are free to move their .ac.ke domain to a different provider if they find better services or pricing elsewhere. KENIC maintains a policy that domain names belong to the registrant, not the registrar, ensuring institutions retain control over their digital identity.

The .ac.ke domain represents more than just a web address for Kenyan educational institutions. It serves as a mark of authenticity, a symbol of academic credibility, and a crucial component of an institution’s digital infrastructure in Kenya’s growing knowledge economy.