Prince Rahim Aga Khan V arrives in Kenya
His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V has arrived in Kenya on an official visit at the invitation of President William Ruto.
This is Prince Rahim’s first State visit to Kenya since he became the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims in February.
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He was welcomed by the Prime Cabinet Secretary, who is also CS for Foreign Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Monday, August 25, 2025.
During the visit, a range of items will be on the agenda, including current and future areas of cooperation.
Aga Khan family
The Aga Khan V’s father, Prince Karim al-Husseini Aga Khan IV, died on February 4 at the age of 88.
He was the founder of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), which reaches more than 27 million people across all parts of Kenya.
The AKDN is one of Kenya’s largest private employers, with over 14,000 Kenyan staff. It reaches millions through its work in education, health, economic development, and environmental stewardship.
The network oversees the Aga Khan schools, the Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa, the Aga Khan Foundation, the Aga Khan University Hospital, Jubilee Insurance, Diamond Trust Bank, Serena Hotels, and businesses under the Industrial Promotion Services, among others.
The Aga Khan Foundation provides quality education for marginalised children by supporting 366 public primary schools, benefiting nearly 160,000 students, more than 3,000 teachers and educators, and 9,000 parents in some of the most remote parts of the country.
Among the key areas of focus for the AKDN is climate resilience, where it has planted more than 12 million trees across Kenya and is advancing a wide-ranging agenda, including the Indian Ocean Coastal Regeneration Initiative, which is restoring marine ecosystems, regenerating adjacent farmland, and strengthening the resilience of coastal communities.
This visit marks a continuation and strengthening of the long-standing partnership between the Government of Kenya and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a relationship that spans over a century.
Prince Rahim’s official meetings with Kenyan leadership, including Ruto and senior government officials, are expected to focus on deepening bilateral cooperation in areas such as education, healthcare, infrastructure development, financial inclusion, and climate adaptation.
Kenya has long been a strategic partner for the Aga Khan family and the wider Ismaili community, and the Prince’s visit underscores the importance of diplomatic engagement in furthering mutual development goals.
The AKDN’s extensive presence in Kenya contributes not only to social development but also to economic growth. Its partnerships with national and county governments have brought significant improvements in public service delivery, especially in underserved regions.
One of the expected outcomes of this visit is the signing of new agreements that will enhance investment in local healthcare systems and promote public-private partnerships in the education sector. Discussions are also anticipated around scaling up environmental sustainability programs, including marine conservation and renewable energy projects that are vital to Kenya’s Vision 2030 goals.
