Kenya’s passport has dropped two places in the latest Henley Passport Index, now ranked 69th globally compared to position 67 last year. The index ranks 199 passports based on the number of countries their holders can visit without a visa or with a visa on arrival.

The 2024 report shows that Kenyan passport holders have access to 71 destinations without requiring a visa in advance. This places Kenya in a tie with Gambia and ranks both countries 10th in Africa in terms of travel freedom.

Seychelles continues to lead the continent, holding position 24 globally and offering visa-free access to 156 countries. Mauritius follows at 27th with 149 destinations, while South Africa is ranked 48th with access to 103.

Other African countries ahead of Kenya include Botswana at position 59, Namibia at 63, Lesotho at 65, Eswatini at 66, and both Malawi and Morocco tied at 67.

Kenya’s passport had shown some recovery after its lowest position of 77 in 2021, rising to 71 in 2022. It dropped to 73 in 2023 before climbing back slightly to 69 in the latest ranking.

At the bottom of the African list is Somalia, whose citizens can travel to just 32 countries. Other low-ranking African passports include Eritrea (39), Sudan (41), and both South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo at 43.

On the global scale, Singapore maintains the top spot with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 193 destinations. Japan and South Korea are second with access to 190, followed by several European nations such as Germany, France, and Italy.

The United States, which once led the index in 2014, is now in 10th place, its lowest ranking since the index began — with access to 182 countries. It shares the spot with Lithuania and Iceland.

Henley and Partners compiles the index in partnership with the International Air Transport Association, using official data to track passport holders’ access to 227 destinations around the world.