Kenya’s passport has made a comeback on the world stage, climbing five places in the latest Henley Passport Index to rank 68th globally.
The rise marks a turnaround after months of decline, when the Kenyan passport fell to 73rd place in October 2025, and holders could only access 70 destinations visa-free or with a visa on arrival.
According to the new 2026 ranking, Kenyan passport holders can now travel to 69 destinations without a visa in advance, signaling a modest but meaningful recovery in global mobility after an extended period of decline.
The Henley Passport Index uses exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which is the world’s largest and most comprehensive travel database, to compare 199 passports across 227 destinations.
The index is updated monthly to capture real-time shifts in visa policies, new diplomatic agreements, and changing international relations, making it a reliable barometer of a nation’s travel freedom.
Kenya’s passport has had a rollercoaster journey over the past two decades, having reached mid-50s in global rankings in the early 2000s, then plummeting to a historic low of 77th in 2021. This January rebound reflects an upward trajectory.
Analysts attribute the latest climb partly to global realignments in mobility, where even small changes in other countries’ visa policies reshuffle rankings, lifting Kenya’s comparative position.
Across Africa, Kenya now sits among the top 10 strongest passports on the continent, behind Seychelles, Mauritius, and South Africa, but ahead of many of its East African peers.
Interestingly, Kenya scored a perfect 100% on the Henley Openness Index, meaning it welcomes visitors from every country in the world without requiring them to obtain a visa beforehand.
President Ruto’s decision to abolish visa requirements for Kenya followed the scientific discovery that Turkana County was the cradle of mankind. However, to ensure national security, the Government of Kenya restricts travelers from Libya and Somalia.
Unfortunately, Kenya’s level of openness is not always extended to Kenyan travelers. Many destinations, especially in Europe’s Schengen area, still require pre-arrival visas, limiting the practical benefits of the ranking boost.
The government has nonetheless implemented key reforms to enhance 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.
