Kenya Passport Ranking & Power 2026
The Kenyan passport is ranked 68th in the world on the 2026 Henley Passport Index, granting holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 69 countries and territories. This represents a five-place improvement from 73rd in 2025.
68th
Global Rank10th
In Africa69
Destinations+5
Places GainedHenley Passport Index 2026
The Henley Passport Index is the original, authoritative ranking of world passports based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). It ranks passports by the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa.
| Index | Kenya Rank | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Henley Passport Index 2026 | 68th | 69 visa-free/VOA destinations |
| Passport Index | 72nd | 70 destinations |
| Arton Capital | 70th | 68 destinations |
Rankings vary slightly between indices due to different methodologies and data sources.
Kenya Passport Ranking History
| Year | Henley Rank | Destinations | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 68th | 69 | +5 places |
| 2025 | 73rd | 65 | -2 places |
| 2024 | 71st | 67 | +1 place |
| 2023 | 72nd | 64 | No change |
| 2022 | 72nd | 64 | +3 places |
| 2021 | 75th | 58 | -4 places |
| 2020 | 71st | 64 | +2 places |
The Kenya passport has shown an overall upward trend since 2020, with the 2026 ranking representing its strongest position in recent years. The African Union Free Movement Protocol and bilateral agreements have been key drivers of this improvement.
African Passport Rankings Comparison
How does Kenya compare with other African passports?
| # | Country | Global Rank | Destinations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seychelles | 22nd | 154 |
| 2 | Mauritius | 28th | 146 |
| 3 | South Africa | 49th | 106 |
| 4 | Botswana | 55th | 88 |
| 5 | Namibia | 59th | 80 |
| 6 | eSwatini | 61st | 77 |
| 7 | Lesotho | 62nd | 76 |
| 8 | Malawi | 64th | 73 |
| 9 | Tanzania | 66th | 71 |
| 10 | Kenya | 68th | 69 |
| 11 | Ghana | 70th | 66 |
| 12 | Uganda | 71st | 65 |
| 13 | Nigeria | 89th | 44 |
| 14 | Ethiopia | 91st | 42 |
East African Community Comparison
EAC member states enjoy free movement within the community. Here is how their passports compare globally:
| Country | Global Rank | Destinations | EAC Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tanzania | 66th | 71 | Founding member |
| Kenya | 68th | 69 | Founding member |
| Uganda | 71st | 65 | Founding member |
| Rwanda | 73rd | 63 | Joined 2007 |
| Burundi | 81st | 54 | Joined 2007 |
| South Sudan | 93rd | 40 | Joined 2016 |
| DR Congo | 88th | 46 | Joined 2022 |
What Affects Passport Strength?
- Bilateral agreements: Kenya has been actively negotiating visa-free agreements with more countries
- African Union Free Movement Protocol: The AU initiative aims to allow visa-free travel across all 55 member states. Kenya is a signatory
- EAC integration: Free movement within the 7-member East African Community using national ID
- Economic strength: GDP growth and political stability influence visa policies
- Diplomatic relations: Kenya's strong diplomatic ties across Africa and Asia continue to open new destinations
Access Breakdown by Type
| Access Type | Countries | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Visa-free | 46 | Enter with just your passport. See full list |
| Visa on arrival | 23 | Visa issued at the airport/border |
| eVisa | 49 | Apply online before travel |
| Visa required | 79 | Must apply at embassy before travel |