KENYAN PASSPORT SLIPS IN GLOBAL RANKING, NOW 69TH WORLDWIDE

The strength of the Kenyan passport has weakened slightly this year, falling two spots to position 69 on the Henley Passport Index, a respected global ranking of travel freedom.

The index, compiled by London-based Henley and Partners, assesses 199 passports by the number of destinations their holders can access without a visa or by obtaining one on arrival. According to the latest update, Kenyan passport holders now have access to just 71 countries visa-free or with visa-on-arrival privileges, down from last year’s improved access.

Kenya now shares the 69th position globally with The Gambia. Despite the drop, the Kenyan passport still remains among the stronger ones on the continent, ranking 10th in Africa.

Seychelles leads Africa’s ranking at 24th globally with access to 156 destinations, followed by Mauritius at position 27 with 149 destinations and South Africa in 48th place, granting entry to 103 countries without prior visas.

Other African nations ahead of Kenya in this year’s rankings include Botswana (59th), Namibia (63rd), Lesotho (65th), Eswatini (66th), Malawi (67th), and Morocco (also 67th). On the lower end, Somalia remains Africa’s weakest passport with access to just 32 destinations, followed by Eritrea, Sudan, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Historically, Kenya's worst performance came in 2021 when it was ranked 77th globally. The passport then recovered to position 71 in 2022 before dipping again to 73 in 2023 and now 69 in 2025.

Globally, the Singaporean passport remains the most powerful, offering access to 193 countries without prior visas. It is followed closely by Japan and South Korea with access to 190 destinations. Several European nations, including Germany, France, Spain, and Italy, also rank in the top tier.

Meanwhile, the United States, which held the top spot in 2014, has dropped to 10th position its lowest in two decades tied with Iceland and Lithuania, offering visa-free access to 182 countries.

The Henley Passport Index relies on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and evaluates mobility across 227 destinations worldwide.