Kenya’s passport ranks as the most powerful in the East African community (EAC) according to the 2024 Henley Passport Index. This follows a move by the government to put an end to visa requirements and shift to electronic travel authorization.
Kenya ranked in the 67th position globally. According to the report, Kenyan passport holders are able to travel to 76 destinations out of 227 around the globe visa-free. Among the EAC members, Tanzania had the second most powerful passport at position 69 with holders having access to 73 destinations without a visa or visa on arrival. Uganda was third in at 73rd position followed by Rwanda (76th), Burundi (90th), D.R. Congo (94th), South Sudan (94th) and Somalia (99th).
According to the 2024 Henley Passport Index, the Seychelles passport is the most powerful in Africa holding the 26th position globally, with holders able to visit 156 countries visa-free. Kenya is the eighth most powerful in the continent behind Seychelles, Mauritius (30th), South Africa (53rd), Botswana (59th), Lesotho (65th), Namibia (65th) and eSwatini (66th).
Globally, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain joined Japan and Singapore in boasting the most powerful passports in the world, with their citizens able to visit an astonishing 194 destinations out of 227, visa-free. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) continued to boast the biggest improvement on the index. Over the decade, UAE passport holders have seen an addition of 106 destinations to its visa-free score. This has seen the country improve to the 11th most powerful globally.
Out of the 199 different passports, the index covers, Afghanistan recorded the least powerful passport with its holders only able to visit 28 destination visa-free. In Africa, Somalia passport holders had the least powerful, only able to visit 36 destinations visa-free.
With Kenya now allowing visa-free access to its international visitors, it is expected to rise up in the rank in the near future. However, a good move to revolutionize movement in East Africa and boost economic growth, the welcomed move has already faced criticism. Despite no longer needing a vise to enter the country, the new policy requires visitors to apply online at least three days before travelling and paying a Sh5,406 ($34) processing fee for an electronic travel authorization.
The new policy has been dubbed as hectic and costly as now even those who were in countries whereby, they could move visa-free to the country are now forced to deal with the processing fee. As some rejoice on the move, some feel it might be double edged sword, leading to a boycott by some foreigners.
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