Kenya’s passport is back on the global stage, climbing five spots in the latest Henley Passport Index to rank 68th worldwide.
This improvement marks a turnaround after months of decline, when in October 2024, the Kenyan passport slipped to 73rd place, allowing holders access to only 70 destinations visa-free or with visa-on-arrival privileges.
According to the 2026 ranking, Kenyan travelers can now visit 69 countries without securing a visa in advance, signaling a modest but meaningful recovery in international mobility.
The Henley Passport Index uses exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the world’s largest travel database, to compare 199 passports across 227 destinations. Updated monthly, the index reflects real-time changes in visa policies, new diplomatic agreements, and global shifts in international relations, making it a trusted gauge of a nation’s travel freedom.
Kenya’s passport has had a rollercoaster journey over the past two decades. It reached the mid-50s in global rankings in the early 2000s, then fell to a historic low of 77th in 2021. The recent rebound in January 2026 reflects a positive upward trend.
Analysts attribute the rise partly to global mobility realignments, where small adjustments in other countries’ visa policies can significantly affect rankings, lifting Kenya’s comparative position.
Across Africa, Kenya now ranks among the top 10 strongest passports, trailing behind Seychelles, Mauritius, and South Africa, but ahead of many East African neighbors. Notably, Kenya scored a 100% on the Henley Openness Index, meaning it welcomes visitors from every country without requiring a visa beforehand.
However, the government maintains security measures by restricting entry from countries such as Libya and Somalia.
Despite this openness, many countries, including several in Europe’s Schengen zone, still require pre-arrival visas for Kenyans, limiting the immediate practical benefits of the ranking boost.
The government has implemented key reforms to improve Kenya’s travel and diplomatic standing, including abolishing the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for most African visitors and modernizing immigration systems to facilitate regional integration.
The post Kenya Passport Jumps 5 Places Globally; Now Among Africa’s Top 10 appeared first on Bossnana.
