We're loading the full news article for you. This includes the article content, images, author information, and related articles.
Kenya’s passport climbs 5 places in the global ranking, offering visa-free access to 79 destinations and entering Africa’s top 10 most powerful passports.

The Kenyan passport is punching above its weight. In the latest Henley Passport Index released for Q1 2026, Kenya has climbed five places globally, cracking the coveted list of Africa’s top 10 most powerful travel documents.
Kenyan citizens can now travel visa-free or obtain a visa-on-arrival to 79 destinations, up from 74 last year. The improvement is attributed to President Ruto’s aggressive diplomatic push for reciprocal visa waivers, particularly with South Africa, Senegal, and several Caribbean nations.
Ironically, Kenya’s own move to scrap visas for all visitors in favor of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) has spurred goodwill globally. "Reciprocity is the name of the game," explained Immigration PS Julius Bitok. "When we opened our doors, the world opened theirs to us."
The rise places Kenya at position 67 globally, tying with Malawi. While still trailing the continent’s heavyweights like Seychelles, Mauritius, and South Africa, the upward trajectory signals growing soft power.
Keep the conversation in one place—threads here stay linked to the story and in the forums.
Other hot threads
E-sports and Gaming Community in Kenya
Active 8 months ago
Popular Recreational Activities Across Counties
Active 8 months ago
The Role of Technology in Modern Agriculture (AgriTech)
Active 8 months ago
Investing in Youth Sports Development Programs
Active 8 months ago