Kenya Today
Kenyan Passport Mobility Score Strengthens
The Kenyan passport mobility score has strengthened to 72, thus holders can now access over 70 countries without a visa or getting it on arrival.
The mobility score, an initiative of the Henley passport index report, was downgraded last year due to Covid-19 adverse effects. The number of counties one could visit was hence lowered to 64 only.
The score measures the number of counties Kenyan passport holders can visit without a Visa or getting one on arrival. It also measures the number of nations where holders can get a Visa on arrival or get it electronically.
The Kenyan passport which initially held the 7th position of the most powerful in Africa dropped to the current 9th position. Kenya has set the example by defeating all the countries in the East African Community. This passport allows a Kenyan to not only visit 29 countries without a Visa but also obtain an entry document on arrival in 30 countries. Singapore, Fiji, Jamaica and Hong Kong are among the several countries that Kenyans can visit without a Visa or get one on arrival.
New chip-embedded passports have been developed for Kenyan Citizens to prevent forgery, impersonation of holders as well as duplication. These e-passports are said to have a validity period of 10years.
Kenya has epitomized integration within the East African Community. Citizens of Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda can now move freely if they have their identity cards, work or do business in the country.
By Lillian Waeni
