President William Ruto has awarded the global leader of Ismaili Muslims, His
Highness Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V, Kenya's highest national civilian
honour — the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (CGH).
The award recognises Prince Aga Khan V's
personal commitment and the Aga Khan Development Network’s (AKDN) distinguished
service to the people of Kenya over the years.
Conferring the award at State House, Nairobi, on
Tuesday, President Ruto said:
"This
moment is both historic and symbolic."
He added: "It affirms Kenya’s
deep appreciation of the enduring legacy of the Ismaili Imamat, whose service
to humanity has long been a pillar of our national journey."
Prince Aga Khan V became the 50th hereditary
Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims in February 2025, following the death of his
father, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV.
Through the Aga Khan Development Network, which
he chairs, the Ismaili Muslim community worldwide has invested in various
sectors of the economy, including media, education, health, banking, insurance,
tourism, and hospitality.
In Kenya, they run Diamond Trust Bank, Serena
Hotels, Jubilee Insurance, Nation Media Group, Aga Khan University Hospital,
and Aga Khan University, among others.
"These
contributions align seamlessly with our Bottom-Up Economic Transformation
Agenda, which is anchored in equity, opportunity, and dignity for all
Kenyans," President Ruto said.
In his acceptance speech, Prince Aga Khan V
said Kenya holds a special place in his family’s history, noting that some of
his relatives — including his late father and uncle — partly grew up in the
country.
"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.
He added:
"In
Kenya, we have found a government and a society that have consistently welcomed
these efforts and supported them with vision and resolve."
The two leaders signed a Memorandum of
Understanding between the Government of Kenya and the Ismaili Imamat,
establishing a framework for recognition of the Ismaili Imamat as the legal
entity representing the office of the Imam of the Shia Imami Muslims in
engagements with the government on international relations.
Another MoU signed between the Government of
Kenya and the Ismaili Imamat on General Cooperation will provide a framework
for bilateral collaboration in environmental conservation, urban
rehabilitation, and cultural heritage preservation.
Flagship initiatives expected to benefit
include the Nairobi River Regeneration Project, National Museums Development,
and City Park Rehabilitation.
"With AKDN's proven
expertise in conservation, cultural heritage, and community-driven development,
I am confident we can expand the scale and impact of these initiatives so that
climate action delivers both ecological restoration and human dignity," he said.
During the function, Prince Aga Khan V's
sister, Princess Zahra, was also awarded the Elder of the Order of the Golden
Heart (EGH) for her leadership in advancing health, education, and social
development in Kenya and beyond.
Present at the event were Deputy President
Prof. Kithure Kindiki, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Minister for Foreign Affairs
Musalia Mudavadi, Chief of Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri, Nairobi
Governor Johnson Sakaja, and Attorney-General Dorcas Oduor.
Others included Cabinet Secretaries Aden Duale
(Health), Julius Ogamba (Education), Hassan Joho (Mining), and John Mbadi
(Treasury), Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wa, Principal Secretaries, and other
dignitaries.
