The Kenyan passport has been ranked 68th in the January 2025 Global Passport Index released by Henley and Partners on Saturday, January 11. The ranking marks a drop of one position compared to January 2024.
This decline is attributed to a reduction in the number of destinations Kenyan passport holders can access visa-free. In 2025, the visa-free score stood at 74 destinations, down from 76 in 2024.
The Henley Passport Power (HPP) score evaluates 199 countries based on the percentage of global GDP their passport holders can access visa-free. The score considers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 227 destinations worldwide.
“The GDP for the most recent year available for the 227 destinations on the Henley Passport Index was collected from publicly available and national databases,” the report noted.
Kenya Shines in Openness Index
In contrast, Kenya performed well in the Henley Openness Index 2025, ranking among the top countries due to its visa-free policy introduced by President William Ruto in 2024. Kenya shared the first position with countries like the Maldives, Comoros, Burundi, Cape Verde, and Samoa.
Kenya’s implementation of the electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system in January 2024 significantly contributed to this achievement.
“Unlike other ETAs, which apply only to visa-free travelers, all travelers to Kenya are eligible to apply for an eTA,” stated the report.
The eTA application, which can be completed online, collects biographic details and eligibility information. Valid for 90 days, the eTA requires a $30 service fee.
Kenya’s efforts to enhance accessibility for international travelers have been commended, even as the country’s global passport ranking faces slight challenges.
