President William Ruto Monday witnessed the signing of two landmark agreements between Kenya and the Ismaili Imamat, paving the way for deeper cooperation in development, environmental conservation, and cultural preservation.
One Memorandum of Understanding formally recognises the Ismaili Imamat as the legal entity representing the Office of the Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, established under the hereditary succession of the Shia Ismaili Imams.
Under this agreement, the Imamat will have full capacity to engage with the government of Kenya in international relations.
“This recognition strengthens the legal and diplomatic framework of our partnership with the Imamat, reflecting its historic and ongoing contributions to Kenya’s progress,” Ruto said after the signing.
The other agreement on General Cooperation provides a framework for collaboration in areas of shared interest.
This includes environmental conservation, urban rehabilitation, and cultural preservation.
Flagship projects expected to benefit include the Nairobi Rivers Regeneration Programme, which aims to restore ecosystems and create sustainable urban spaces.
Others are the development of the National Museums of Kenya and the rehabilitation of Nairobi’s historic City Park.
The Nairobi Rivers project is currently being undertaken through the Climate WorkX programme.
It is already engaging 40,000 Kenyans in Nairobi in meaningful work to restore ecosystems, clean rivers, and create sustainable urban spaces.
"This is another programme Your Highness, which is close to our hearts," Ruto said.
"Apart from cleaning the river, expanding and deepening the river, the program is also meant to build social housing to make sure that we turn the Nairobi River, which is now the backyard, into the front of what will be a modern city in Nairobi."
He added, "Because of your environmental passion and what Aga Khan has been able to do in Kenya in matters environment and your leadership in that space, I believe there is scope and room for us to work together in that space."
In his address, Ruto praised the partnership as a milestone in Kenya’s relations with the Ismaili Imamat.
He noted that it builds on decades of service by the Aga Khan Development Network in health, education, and economic development.
“These agreements reaffirm our commitment to working together for a greener, more resilient, and culturally rich Kenya,” the President said.
The accords are expected to open new avenues for cooperation, reinforcing Kenya’s broader transformation agenda while deepening ties with the global Ismaili community.
