馃嚢馃嚜KenyaEast Africa
Kenyan passport climbs five places in 2026 Henley Passport Index, leads East Africa
via Tuko2 min read
Kenya's passport has risen five places to 68th globally in the 2026 Henley Passport Index, making it the strongest in East Africa. Kenyan passport holders can access 69 destinations visa-free or with a visa on arrival. Tanzania follows at 69th, Rwanda at 70th, and Uganda at 71st, marking Uganda's best performance in a decade. Burundi is 86th regionally. The number of accessible destinations for Kenyans decreased by one from 70 in 2025 to 69 in 2026, but the overall ranking improved, partly recovering from a previous six-place drop. Kenya's passport has fluctuated significantly, peaking at 52nd in 2006 and reaching a low of 77th in 2021. On the African continent, Kenya ranks 10th, behind Seychelles, Mauritius, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Morocco, and Malawi. Seychelles leads Africa, offering visa-free access to 154 destinations. In mid-2025, Kenya removed visa requirements for most African nationals, allowing stays of up to 60 days, which contributed to a high Henley Openness score. Within the East African Community, Kenyans can travel freely to Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan without visas. The improved ranking also facilitates entry into several Caribbean nations, including Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, and the Bahamas. Access to Europe's Schengen zone remains restricted, and the government is pursuing bilateral negotiations for greater reciprocity with African and emerging market partners. Globally, Singapore holds the top positio
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Tuko.
Must ReadThe Nairobi Metropolitan Mass Rapid Transit System NMRTS is gaining momentum following recent meetings between National Government officials and the Nairobi City County Executive Committee. The project, approved by Governor Johnson Sakaja's committee, aims to transform mobility in the Nairobi Metropolitan Area by reducing chronic traffic congestion, which currently leads to an estimated KSh 130 billion in annual economic losses. Silvester Kasuku, Advisor on Governance in the Executive Office of the President, held working meetings with Transport Principal Secretary Mohammed Daghar and Eng. Joseph Mbugua, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Roads, to advance implementation plans. The NMRTS is expected to reduce daily commuter travel times, recover KSh 53 billion annually in productivity losses, and stimulate economic growth through Transit-Oriented Development. It also promises environmental and social benefits, including lower greenhouse gas emissions and improved public transport. Governor Sakaja described the NMRTS as a transformative national development program aligned with Kenya Vision 2030 and the African Union's Agenda 2063, designed to support Nairobi's growing population, projected to reach 11.5 million by 2063.
Billionaire Chris Kirubi's Bendor Farm in Thika, spanning 1,000 acres, was the site of his burial and a significant agricultural venture. The farm includes a 15-acre man-made lake, named Lake Kirubi, which was a primary reason for his purchase of the property. Initially, Kirubi engaged in coffee farming but shifted to bananas and avocados due to dissatisfaction with coffee market prices. He dedicated between 250 and 300 acres to banana cultivation, claiming it to be Kenya's largest banana plantation, and also cultivated avocados for export. Kirubi had plans to develop Lake Kirubi into a recreational area for fishing and water skiing. He was actively involved in the farm's management, valuing input from his manager and long-serving workers. The farm, characterized by its vastness and a network of dirt roads, represented Kirubi's belief in diversification, showcasing a focus on food security and long-term land investment beyond his well-known media and manufacturing interests.
Must ReadFormer deputy president Rigathi Gachagua is intensifying his bid to become the Opposition's 2027 presidential flagbearer, asserting that candidate selection should prioritize the number of votes each aspirant can deliver. Gachagua claims to have consolidated approximately eight million votes from Mt Kenya and an additional two million from the South Rift and Maa regions, positioning himself as a strong contender against President William Ruto. He argues that electoral numbers should outweigh factors like age, education, or personal appeal. Gachagua cited the Democracy for the Citizens Party's victory in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election as evidence of Mt Kenya's shift away from Ruto, despite alleged voter suppression. He challenged other Opposition principals to secure their strongholds before presenting their numbers for the coalition's flagbearer selection. However, Gachagua stated he would support another candidate if an agreed selection formula indicated a stronger chance of winning for someone else. This stance differs from fellow Opposition leaders Martha Karua and Fred Matiang鈥檌, who advocate for a verifiable scientific process, such as nationwide polling or a primary-style approach, to identify the most suitable candidate.