Introduction

Domain names are the familiar and easy-to-remember names for Internet computers (e.g. "www.ecommerce.go.ke"). They map to unique Internet Protocol (IP) numbers (e.g. 98.37.241.30)that serve as routing addresses on the Internet. The domain name system (DNS) translates Internet names into the IP numbers needed for transmission of information across the network.

Today's Internet is an outgrowth of U.S. government investments in packet-switching technology and communications networks carried out under agreements with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the National Science Foundation (NSF)and other U.S. research agencies. In Kenya the Internet was introduced in 1997.

The domain name space is constructed as a hierarchy. It is divided into top-level domains (TLDs), with each TLD then divided into second-level domains (SLDs), and so on. More than 200 national, or country-code, TLDs (ccTLDs) are administered by their corresponding governments or by private entities with the appropriate national governments acquiescence. For Kenya, the technical contact of the .ke ccTLD is Mr. Randy Bush of USA, while Hon. Dr. Shem Ochuodho of ARCC Kenya is the administrative contact of the .ke ccTLD.

Establishment of Kenya Network Information Center (Kenic)

KENIC was borne through a broad based consultative process of the "Local Internet Community" with an aim to institute a local non-profit organization to manage and operate the .KE ccTLD. This was an initial step to facilitate growth of the Internet sub-sect and foster the uptake of ICT's in the country through a public private partnership (ppp's).

In addition, the understanding that ccTLDs are a national resource that should be managed in a way consonant to the interests of the public and the industry also drove the founder members to establish the body. It was further envisioned that the task of managing the dot ke ccTLD was best suited to an organization which is representative of the local Internet community and has been established with the appropriate resources to move Kenya forward in the global world of the Internet with the full support of the Government.

The KENIC's board of directors would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the significant contribution made to the .ke domain name system by Dr. Shem Ochuodho (Admin Contact) and Mr. Randy Bush (Technical Contact) who voluntarily facilitated domain name registry services in an acting capacity from 1993.

The broad based consultations that begun in October 2001 were facilitated mainly by the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) and local Internet stakeholders who later became the KENIC founding members.

KENIC functions

KENIC was established to, among others:

• Act as a trustee for the .ke country-code-top-level-domain
• Become the .ke domain administrative contact as well as technical contact
• Administer the .ke ccTLD and its Second Level Domains
• Maintain and promote the operational stability and utility of the .ke ccTLD
• Ensure a cost-effective administration of the .ke ccTLD and its sub- domains
• Notify the Internet Corporation of Names and Numbers (ICANN) of any change to the contact information about the.ke ccTLD
• Provide name service for all .ke, and ensure that the database is secure and stable
• Allow ICANN to access .ke zone files and registration data (up to date) continuously maintain a KENIC website at all times with all the registration information meet all its financial obligations to ICANN comply with all global ICANN Internet policies and help in their development.

Membership

KENIC's membership is made of Board Members and Associate Members. The current KENIC membership comprises of a good cross-section of the Kenyan Internet community and the Government.

KENIC's full board members are drawn from the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK), TELKOM Kenya, Government IT Services (GITS), Directorate of E-Governance, Telecommunications Services Providers Association of Kenya (TESPOK), Kenya Education Network (KENET) and Industry. Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), Domain-Name Registrar Association of Kenya (DRAKE) and Kenya Internet Marketing Association (KIMA) are associate board members.

For continuity, a former chairperson continues to serve on the board for a year.

KENIC has laid down rules and regulations for registration of new Board Members and Associate Members,which will be done in due course.

Motto

Kenya Internet community working together.

                                                                                                                                                        

Vision

To be a reputable overseer of Kenyan Domain Name Space by managing and administering .ke in an effective, transparent and equitable manner, and in conformity with global Internet policies Mission To promote, manage and operate the delegated .ke ccTLD in the interest of the Kenyan Internet community and being mindful of the global Internet community interest in consistent with ICANN policies.