The Kenyan passport has fallen 52 places to 120th globally out of 199 countries, according to the latest passport ranking report.
Kenya currently has a Mobility Score of 75, meaning Kenyan passport holders can travel to 75 destinations without securing a visa before departure.
The report, released by Passport Reports on Thursday, September 17, shows that Kenya had previously occupied the 68th position globally.
The latest ranking puts Kenya 10th out of 54 African countries. It trails Seychelles, Mauritius, South Africa, Botswana, Morocco, Lesotho, Namibia, Eswatini and Malawi.
Kenyan travellers currently need visas to access 123 destinations, while 37 countries allow them to enter visa-free. Another 33 destinations provide other forms of facilitated entry.
Five additional destinations accept Kenyan travellers through electronic travel authorisation (eTA), giving the Kenyan passport a global access rate of 37.9 per cent.
Kenya Scores Highly in Hospitality
Despite the decline in its passport ranking, Kenya emerged second among 199 countries in the welcoming ranking, which assesses the level of entry access granted to foreign visitors.
According to the report, citizens from 123 countries can enter Kenya through visa-free arrangements, electronic authorisation or visa-on-arrival procedures. No countries were listed under the reverse category.
For Kenyan passport holders, the Caribbean provides the highest level of access at 81.3 per cent. Africa follows at 71.7 per cent, Oceania at 57.1 per cent and North America at 52.2 per cent.
Access remains comparatively lower in Asia at 28 per cent, South America at 16.7 per cent, the Middle East at 5.9 per cent and Europe at 2.1 per cent.
The findings come nearly three years after President William Ruto announced on December 12, 2023, that Kenya would scrap visa requirements for visitors entering the country.
Ruto has also promoted the removal of visa restrictions as a way of facilitating trade and regional integration, including efforts towards visa-free travel for African citizens and the introduction of an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) system for international visitors.
At the same time, the government has recently stressed that foreign workers and investors must comply fully with Kenyan laws and regulations.
The report further ranks Kenya first among the four countries classified under the Swahili language category.
Kenya also placed 43rd among 60 English-speaking countries and 40th among 56 Commonwealth countries.
