According to a new global passport ranking system, Kenya’s passport strength has declined by one point to 68 this year, resulting in fewer countries where Kenyans can travel visa-free compared to 2024.
The Henley Passport Index 2024 January Ranking indicates that the country’s global passport ranking stood at number 67 last year.
This means that Kenya’s passport strength has slightly declined, with visa-free access dropping from 76 to 74 countries, curtailing travel freedom compared to last year.
This hence raises the question: what exactly is a passport ranking, and what does passport strength truly signify?
Passport strength refers to the level of global access a passport provides to its holders, based on the number of countries they can visit without a visa, with a visa-on-arrival, or through an electronic travel authorization (eTA). A stronger passport grants greater travel freedom and reflects the country’s diplomatic relations and international agreements.
To determine a country’s passport ranking, several key criteria are evaluated, each contributing to its overall score. These criteria include:
1. Visa-Free/On-Arrival Access
This is the number of countries a passport holder can visit without requiring a visa or with visa-on-arrival access.For instance, Kenyan passport holders have visa-free access to 74 countries, including destinations like Uganda and Tanzania, but need a visa for others like the United States or Canada.
2. Global Mobility
This is how easily the passport allows its holders to travel globally, influenced by diplomatic relationships and international agreements.
In Kenya’s case, growing ties with regional and international organizations have improved its citizens’ ability to access more African countries without visas.
3. Visa Requirement for Other Countries
This refers to the number of countries whose citizens are required to obtain a visa to enter the country in question. Countries with fewer visa requirements for other nations generally rank higher. Kenya’s passport strength can be partly attributed to its visa-free access for many African nations, which boosts its regional mobility ranking.
4. Ease of Obtaining a Visa
This is the process and ease with which a passport holder can obtain a visa for countries that do require one. In this Kenyan context, passport holders can apply for eVisas for several countries like India and Australia, making the process easier compared to traditional visa applications.
5. Security Features and Fraud Prevention
This refers to the security features of a passport, such as biometric data and advanced anti-fraud measures. Kenya recently upgraded its passport to include biometric information, enhancing its security and reducing the risk of identity fraud.
Passport rankings are typically compiled by organizations such as the Henley Passport Index and the Arton Capital Passport Index, which evaluate passports based on these criteria.
On the African continent, the Seychelles passport is the strongest, with its citizens able to visit 156 countries without visas globally, and is ranked number 26 on the worldwide ranking list.
Mauritius follows closely at number 30, with citizens able to travel to 151 nations visa-free. The South African passport follows next at number 51 , and citizens can travel to 106.
Other countries with strong passports include Botswana (55), Namibia (56), Lesotho (79), Eswatini (77), and Malawi (75).
