Kenyan Passport Falls in Ranking, Loses 2 Spots in Latest Global Survey

• The Henley Passport Index ranked the strength of passports in countries across the world in ascending order
• The report indicated the powerful passports in Africa, with Kenya being ranked among the top 10, despite a global drop
• Island nations dominated the list of powerful passports on the continent, while Singapore emerged top globally

Japhet Ruto, an editor at TUKO.co.ke, brings over eight years of expertise in finance, business, and technology, providing valuable insights into economic trends in Kenya and globally.

According to the most recent Henley Passport Index, the Kenyan passport fell two spots, from 67th place last year to 69th worldwide.

Henley & Partners, a worldwide citizenship and residency advisory firm based in London, reported that Kenyan passport holders can now enter 71 countries without a visa in advance or by obtaining one upon arrival.

This is a drop from 74 countries last year.

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Which are the strongest passports in the world?

Using unique information from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Henley Passport Index assesses 199 passports.

The rankings show how many places a person with a passport can visit without a visa beforehand.

There are 227 distinct travel locations in the index, which shows that the top five countries are Singapore, with 193 countries, followed by Japan (190), South Korea (190), Finland and Denmark (189).

The index, which is updated every month, is regarded as the standard reference tool for sovereign governments and global residents when determining a passport's position on the global mobility spectrum.

Which are the most powerful passports in Africa?

Kenya is still among the top ten African nations with the strongest passports, even though its rating has dropped globally.

It leads the East African region and is ranked ninth on the continent.

Africa's passport strength is still dominated by island nations, nevertheless.

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Seychelles (ranked 25th in the world), Mauritius (ranked 29th), South Africa (48th), Botswana (59th), Namibia (63rd), Lesotho (65th), Eswatini (66th), Malawi (67th), and Morocco (also 67th) are among the African nations with passports that are ranked higher than Kenya this year.

As nations restrict or loosen their visa policies in response to diplomatic, security, and economic factors, the 2025 study emphasises ongoing changes in global movement.

"The consolidation we're seeing at the top highlights that access is earned  and must be maintained  through active and strategic diplomacy," Christian Kaelin, the chairman of Henley & Partners and the creator of the passport index concept, stated.

The index also highlights that small policy changes, rather than a country's overall global influence, are frequently reflected in such rank swings.

The significance of ongoing diplomatic relations and reciprocal visa accords is highlighted by Kenya's slight drop.

Can Africans enter Kenya without visas?

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President William Ruto's Cabinet exempted all African citizens from the ETA requirements in January 2025, with only two countries remaining excluded.

The only two nations whose nationals still need a visa or an ETA to enter Kenya are Somalia and Libya.

Kenya is visa-free for citizens of all East African Community (EAC) member states as well as other African nations, with a 60, 90, or 180-day stay limit.

Some Caribbean countries, such as the Fiji Islands and Cyprus, are among the other nations that have been granted access to Kenya.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke