Kenya has recorded an improvement in global travel access after its passport advanced five places in the latest Henley Passport Index, now sitting at position 64. The new ranking means Kenyan citizens can travel to more than 69 destinations without the need for a prior visa.
Data from Henley & Partners, based on figures from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), shows the country moved up from position 69 among 199 passports assessed across 227 destinations. The index measures how freely citizens can move across borders.
Across the continent, Kenya is now placed 10th, coming after South Africa, Morocco, Seychelles, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Malawi, Eswatini and Mauritius. In the East African Community, Tanzania follows closely at position 65, while Uganda is ranked 68 globally.
The improved standing has been linked to better diplomatic engagement with other countries and the rollout of Electronic Travel Authorisations (eTA), which are treated as visa-free access. Authorities have also taken steps to ease travel, including upgrading immigration systems and scrapping ETA requirements for most African travellers entering Kenya.
Even with the progress, concerns have been raised over reports that Kenyan passports were issued to members of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group accused of serious abuses. Immigration Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang dismissed the claims, stating that “documents are only granted to verified Kenyan citizens.”
Questions have also emerged over visa policies, particularly the lack of balance between Kenya and Nigeria. While Nigerians can enter Kenya without a visa, Kenyans are still required to pay more than Sh10,000 to travel to Nigeria.
Kenya’s position has shifted over time, ranking 72nd in 2019, 70th in 2020, 77th in 2021, 71st in 2022, 73rd in 2023, 67th in 2024, and 68th in 2025 before the latest rise to 64th in 2026.
At the global level, Singapore holds the top spot with access to 192 destinations. Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates follow with entry to 187 countries, while Sweden ranks just behind with access to 186 destinations.