Kenyan Passport Drops to 70th in Henley Global Passport Index 2025
The Henley Passport Index ranks the world's passports based on the number of destinations that holders can visit without the need for a visa.
Recently, the Kenyan passport has fallen to the 70th position, a small decline from its previous ranking of 67th, which it has held since 2024.
What the Henley Passport Index Is
As mentioned earlier, the Henley Passport Index is a global
Ranking passports based on the freedom of travel they offer to holders.
A country gets one point for each destination where the passport holder can enter visa-free, meaning no visa is required, a visa on arrival issued at the border without prior application, or an electronic travel authority.
A Country, on the other hand, receives zero points if a visa must be obtained before departure or an e-visa requires government approval before travel.
This index is usually updated every month to reflect changes in the visa agreements, diplomatic relations, or security policies, and it is mainly used by the government, investors, and global mobility investors.
Kenya's Current Position
This new ranking follows President Ruto's decision to eliminate visa requirements. “We are considering the possibility of removing visa requirements for anyone who wants to travel to Kenya. It is unfair to ask anyone for a visa when they are returning home,” said the president.
The decline is due to government reforms eliminating visas for foreign visitors, particularly from African countries, in favor of the Electronic Travel Authorization.
The president said this move is to make it possible for Africans, citizens of Africa, and other countries to move freely and to eliminate unnecessary barriers that impede trade, the movement of people, and to reduce the cost of services.
Kenyans can access 45 countries without a visa, 37 countries with a visa on arrival, and require a visa for 120 countries, according to the visa guide.
Regional and Global Comparison
In Africa, Seychelles holds the most powerful passport, allowing access to 156 countries and ranking 25th globally. South Africa ranks 48th worldwide, providing access to 102 countries.
Other nations with notable passport strength include Mauritius, with access to 149 countries; Botswana, with 85 destinations; Namibia, with 79; Lesotho, with 76; and Eswatini, with 74 destinations.
When it comes to the most powerful passports in the world, Singapore ranks at the top, providing visa-free access to 192 destinations out of a total of 227. Following closely is South Korea, which offers visa-free entry to 190 countries.
The other countries in the top 10 include Japan, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Austria, Belgium, and Denmark, all of which grant access to 189, 188, 188, 188, 188, 187, 187, and 187 destinations, respectively.
Possible Reasons Behind the Decline
One of the main reasons for the decline is that Kenya implemented the Electronic Travel Authorization system, which replaced the previous visas for most foreigners.
While other countries are aggressively negotiating Bilateral Visa Waivers in Asia and Europe, Kenya is not keeping pace with these Bilateral efforts, leading to a drop in ranking even though its regional standing remains strong.
Some countries may impose strict visa requirements due to security concerns, migration control, or bureaucratic inefficiencies.
What this Means for Kenyan Travellers
This is a significant setback for most Kenyans, as they now have fewer visa-free travel destinations. Kenyans can still visit 71 destinations without a visa, which is reasonable, but it’s a decrease of five from the previous year.
Also, since a passport is a reflection of a country’s diplomatic influence, a lower rank might feel like Kenya is not getting equal treatment.
The Way Forward
As Kenyans, we must take action to improve our global standing by advocating for reciprocal visa agreements. For example, just as Americans can enter our country without a visa, we should have the same opportunity to visit their country without needing a visa. Additionally, we should support policies that enhance Kenya's global mobility.
The government should monitor global trends and establish mutual visa agreements, along with enhancing passport security features. It's also good to note that our current passports have significantly improved from previous generations and now meet international standards.
Conclusion
The drop from last year’s 76 destinations is mainly due to changes in Visa agreements and the fact that Kenya has not secured many reciprocal deals even after introducing a visa-free policy for many African countries.
Despite these global challenges, Kenya still holds the strongest passport in East Africa. However, for Kenyans wishing to travel, you should plan and check entry requirements before booking.
