His Highness Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V and President William Ruto on August 26, 2025 / PCSPresident William Ruto has lauded Kenya’s close ties with the Ismaili Imamat, which have fostered strong collaboration in critical areas.
The Ismaili Imamat is the hereditary institution that provides spiritual guidance and leadership to Shia Ismaili Muslims across the world.
Unlike political or territorial institutions, the Imamat is a faith-based, supra-national authority. Its mandate is both religious and social—interpreting the Ismaili faith while also shaping initiatives that improve the quality of life for its global community.
This includes advancing education, health care, cultural preservation, and economic empowerment.
The Imamat also holds the authority to designate successors, ensuring continuity of leadership through the centuries. Today, the institution is led by Prince Rahim Aga Khan, son of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, who had served as Imam for more than six decades.
President Ruto said the ties have advanced areas such as healthcare, education, environmental conservation, and cultural preservation.
This follows a meeting between the President and His Highness Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V, who is in Kenya for an official visit.
His Highness Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V assumed leadership of the Shia Ismaili Imamat.
“This partnership has delivered health facilities that serve over 900,000 patients annually, supported nearly 1,000 public schools, and facilitated the planting of 1.5 million trees in Kenya over the past three years,” the President said.
“We look forward to expanding our cooperation in the Affordable Housing Programme, which will provide safe homes and create thousands of jobs, as well as in the Nairobi River Regeneration through the Climate WorX initiative.”
The President said that the Climate WorX initiative has already engaged 40,000 Kenyans in restoring ecosystems and renewing Kenya’s capital city.
“At State House, Nairobi, I hosted His Highness Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V, whom I congratulated on assuming the leadership of the Shia Ismaili Imamat and on receiving our nation’s highest civilian honour, the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (C.G.H.),” he said.
“I also congratulated Princess Zahra Aga Khan on being awarded the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (E.G.H.) for her lifelong service to health, education, and social development.”
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.
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.
