Kenya cements ties with Aga Khan family and the Ismaili by striking new deals
President William Ruto has officially signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ismaili Imamat to provide a framework for the recognition of the Ismaili Imamat as a legal entity representing the office of the Imams, hence boosting bilateral relations.
According to StateHouse Kenya, the MOU will allow the Ismaili Imamat to have the capacity for internal relations with the Kenyan government.
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In a statement by His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, he acknowledged how the memoranda of understanding signalled a shared ambition with Kenya, hence making the relationship more impactful.
“The Memoranda of Understanding we are signing today build upon this rich legacy of engagement. They reflect the depth of the relationship between the Ismaili Imamat and the Republic of Kenya. And they signal a shared ambition to make that relationship even more impactful,” Prince Rahim said.
On his part, he noted that the Ismailis’ goal is to work alongside the government as Kenya tackles the emerging challenges of climate change, urban regeneration, and delivery of public services through the bottom-up economic transformation agenda.
“Our approach will be to ensure that our programs are meaningfully aligned with Kenya’s national priorities and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation agenda. As in the past, we will continue to mobilise not only our own institutional capacity and resources but also those of our international partners and investors for Kenya’s benefit,” he added.
Aga Khan’s affirmation to the Kenyan govt
Likewise, he noted that Kenya has shown commendable leadership in confronting climate challenges, and in return, the Ismaili Imamat shares the sense of urgency and importance Kenya attaches to climate threats.
Kenya has shown commendable leadership in confronting climate challenges. The Ismaili Imamat shares the sense of urgency and importance you attach to these threats,” he added.
In addition, His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, who was just awarded Kenya’s highest presidential civil honour, Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (C.G.H.) at State House, Kenya, affirmed his commitment to ensuring Aga Khan’s institutions support the government’s efforts to create new knowledge and new solutions for environmental stewardship.
“And I am committed to ensuring that our institutions support your efforts to create new knowledge and new solutions for environmental stewardship. We see promising opportunities for collaboration in areas such as coastal regeneration and climate research, where our institutions are prepared to dedicate increased resources in pursuit of our shared goals,” he affirmed.
