Kenya’s Passport Rises Five Places in Latest Global Ranking

Kenya’s passport has climbed five places to 68th position in the latest Henley Passport Index, reversing a decline recorded late last year.

The improvement follows a drop to 73rd place in 2025 and marks a renewed rise in Kenya’s global mobility standing. The index, compiled using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), ranks 199 passports by the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. It covers 227 destinations and is updated monthly to reflect changes in visa policies and bilateral agreements.

Under the new ranking, Kenyan passport holders can travel to 69 destinations either visa-free or with visas issued on arrival. While the gain is limited, it indicates a gradual recovery after years of fluctuation. Kenya’s passport ranked in the mid-50s in the early 2000s but fell to a low of 77th in 2021. Recent improvements suggest a slow upward trend influenced mainly by shifts in global visa regimes rather than major new diplomatic accords.

Within Africa, Kenya now ranks among the continent’s ten strongest passports. It remains behind Seychelles, Mauritius and South Africa but ranks above several neighbouring East African states. Kenya has also recorded a perfect score on the Henley Openness Index, which measures how many nationalities can enter a country without a visa.

President William Ruto has described the move as a commitment to global accessibility and linked it to Turkana County’s recognition as the “cradle of mankind.” Despite this approach, Kenyan travellers continue to face visa restrictions in many regions, including Europe’s Schengen area, where advance visas are still required.

The government has introduced further measures to support mobility and regional integration. These include scrapping the Electronic Travel Authorisation for most African visitors and upgrading immigration systems. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has said the reforms are intended to align Kenya’s travel policies with its wider diplomatic and continental ambitions.