Kenya’s passport has suffered a setback in global rankings, falling to 69th position in the 2025 Henley Passport Index.

Holders of the travel document can now enter 71 countries without a visa, a drop from 76 destinations in the previous year.

The latest list places Kenya on the same tier as The Gambia, reversing gains made in 2024 when the country climbed to 67th after advancing six slots.

Despite the decline, Nairobi still retains an edge in East Africa, with its neighbours ranked lower.

Tanzania stands at 70th with visa-free access to 70 states, Uganda at 72nd with 67, and Rwanda at 75th with 63.

The downgrade follows recent policy shifts at home, including Kenya’s January 2024 decision to abolish entry visas for most foreign nationals and replace them with an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

Authorities argued the reforms were aimed at promoting tourism and deepening continental ties.

President William Ruto defended the policy ahead of its roll out, terming visa demands for visitors to Kenya “unfair.”

“We are having a conversation as Kenyans because it is unfair to ask anybody coming home for visas,” he said in the run up to the easing of visa rules in 2023.

“In a few months, we are seriously considering abolishing any visa requirement for travelling to Kenya.”

Analysts note that while the reforms have boosted inbound travel and attracted investment, Kenyan passport holders have not benefited from reciprocal arrangements abroad.

This has limited their mobility compared to global leaders such as Singapore and South Korea, whose citizens can access 192 destinations without prior visas.

Even with its global ranking slipping, Kenya continues to dominate within the region, maintaining the strongest passport in East Africa.