Nairobi — The Kenyan passport has slipped two positions in the latest Henley Passport Index, dropping to 69th globally from 67th last year.
According to the report by London-based global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners, Kenyan passport holders can now access 71 destinations without a prior visa or by obtaining a visa on arrival.
The Henley Passport Index evaluates 199 passports using exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The rankings reflect the number of destinations a passport holder can travel to without needing a visa in advance.
Other African passports ranked above Kenya this year include Seychelles (25th globally), Mauritius (29th), South Africa (48th), Botswana (59th), Namibia (63rd), Lesotho (65th), Eswatini (66th), Malawi (67th), and Morocco (also 67th).
The 2025 report highlights continued shifts in global mobility as countries either tighten or relax their visa regimes in response to diplomatic, security, and economic considerations.
“The consolidation we’re seeing at the top underscores that access is earned and must be maintained through active and strategic diplomacy,” said Christian Kaelin, the chairman of Henley & Partners and the inventor of the passport index concept.
He added that while many nations are expanding their mobility through bilateral agreements, others are witnessing slight declines due to changing global dynamics.
Despite the fall in global ranking, Kenya remains in the top ten African countries with the most powerful passports.
It ranks ninth on the continent and leads within the East African region.
However, island nations continue to dominate Africa’s passport strength.
Seychelles is ranked 24th globally, while Mauritius holds 27th place, offering their citizens access to over 150 countries without the need for a prior visa.
The index also highlights that such movements in rank often reflect minor policy shifts rather than a nation’s overall global influence.
Kenya’s modest decline underscores the importance of sustained diplomatic engagement and reciprocal visa agreements.
