Kenya’s passport has dropped 52 places to 120th globally in the latest passport ranking, even as the country has been ranked second worldwide for welcoming foreign visitors.
The ranking covers 199 countries and gives Kenya a Mobility Score of 75, meaning Kenyan passport holders can travel to 75 destinations without obtaining a visa in advance.
The report, compiled by Passport Reports and seen on September 17, shows that Kenya had previously ranked 68th globally.
Kenya is now ranked 10th among 54 African countries. Seychelles leads the continent, followed by Mauritius, South Africa, Botswana, Morocco, Lesotho, Namibia, Eswatini and Malawi.
Kenyan travellers currently require visas to enter 123 destinations, while 37 countries allow them to enter without a visa.
Another 33 destinations provide other forms of facilitated access, while five accept Kenyan travellers through electronic travel authorisation (eTA).
This gives the Kenyan passport a worldwide access rate of 37.9 per cent, according to the report.
Kenya ranks second in welcoming visitors
While Kenyan travellers face restrictions in many countries, Kenya has been ranked second among the 199 countries in the welcoming ranking.
The ranking looks at how easily foreign visitors can enter a country through visa-free arrangements, electronic travel authorisation or visa-on-arrival arrangements.
According to the report, citizens of 123 countries can access Kenya through these arrangements.
For Kenyan passport holders, the Caribbean offers the highest level of access at 81.3 per cent.
Africa follows at 71.7 per cent, while Oceania stands at 57.1 per cent and North America at 52.2 per cent.
Access is lower in Asia at 28 per cent, South America at 16.7 per cent and the Middle East at 5.9 per cent.
Europe has the lowest access rate for Kenyan passport holders at 2.1 per cent.
The findings come nearly three years after President William Ruto announced that Kenya would remove visa requirements for visitors entering the country.
Ruto has also backed the removal of visa restrictions as part of efforts to promote trade and integration across Africa.
Kenya has since moved to an Electronic Travel Authorisation system for international visitors, while foreign workers and investors are required to comply with Kenyan laws.
The report also places Kenya first among the four countries in the Swahili language category.
Kenya ranks 43rd among 60 English-speaking countries and 40th among 56 Commonwealth countries.
