President William Ruto has conferred Kenya’s highest civilian honour, the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (CGH), on His Highness Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V, the global leader of the Ismaili Muslims.
The award, presented at State House Nairobi on Tuesday, recognises Prince Aga Khan’s personal commitment and the Aga Khan Development Network’s (AKDN) long-standing contribution to Kenya’s social and economic development.
“This moment is both historic and symbolic,” President Ruto said, noting that the recognition affirms Kenya’s appreciation of “the enduring legacy of the Ismaili Imamat, whose service to humanity has long been a pillar of our national journey.”
Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, who became the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims in February following the death of his father, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, pledged to continue deepening ties with Kenya.
“Some of the earliest Aga Khan development projects from the time of my great-grandfather were launched in this country, and many of them are still operating today,” he said, adding that Kenya holds a special place in his family’s history.
Through AKDN, the Ismaili community has made significant investments in banking, insurance, hospitality, education, media, and health. In Kenya, flagship institutions include Diamond Trust Bank, Serena Hotels, Jubilee Insurance, Nation Media Group, Aga Khan University Hospital, and Aga Khan University.
“These contributions align seamlessly with our Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which is anchored in equity, opportunity, and dignity for all Kenyans,” President Ruto noted.
The ceremony also witnessed the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding between the Government of Kenya and the Ismaili Imamat.
The first establishes a framework for official recognition of the Imamat as the legal entity representing the office of the Imam in engagements with the state.
The second sets grounds for cooperation in environmental conservation, urban rehabilitation, and cultural heritage preservation, including projects such as the Nairobi River Regeneration, National Museums Development, and City Park Rehabilitation.
“With AKDN’s expertise in conservation and community-driven development, we can expand the impact of these initiatives so that climate action delivers both ecological restoration and human dignity,” Prince Aga Khan V remarked.
In a separate recognition, Princess Zahra Aga Khan received the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (EGH) for her leadership in advancing health, education, and social development in Kenya and beyond.
The event was attended by top government officials, including Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi, Chief of Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, and Attorney-General Dorcas Oduor.
Also present were Cabinet Secretaries Aden Duale (Health), Julius Ogamba (Education), Hassan Joho (Mining), and John Mbadi (Treasury), as well as Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa, Principal Secretaries, and other dignitaries.
