Ruto confers Aga Khan IV’s children with presidential awards
By Mustafa Juma, March 8, 2025President William Ruto conferred presidential awards and honours to two of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV’s children, a month after his passing.
In a gazette notice number 2667 dated February 28, 2025, that was published on Friday, March 7, 2025, Ruto conferred the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (C.G.H.) to Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V.
His sister, Princess Zahra Aga Khan, has been conferred with the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (E.G.H.).
Ruto on the awards
The head of state in the gazette notice stated that the awards were issued in recognition of the distinguished and outstanding services the two have rendered to the nation in various capacities and responsibilities.
“In recognition of distinguished and outstanding services rendered to the nation in various capacities and responsibilities, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, confer Awards and Honours to the following persons: The Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (a) The First Class: Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (C.G.H.) His Highness Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V. (b) The Second Class: Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (E.G.H.) Princess Zahra Aga Khan,” the gazette notice read.
On February 12, 2025, President Ruto revealed the details of his phone conversation with Prince Rahim Aga Khan V.
Prince Rahim Aga Khan V ascended to become the 50th hereditary imam of the Ismaili Muslims, who traced his lineage directly to the Prophet Muhammad, following the death of his father.
“I had a telephone engagement with His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V. I conveyed the condolences of the Government and the people of Kenya following the passing on of his father, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV. I congratulated him for his accession as the 50th Imam of the Shia Ismaili Community and pledged to continue working together in the areas of education, health, environment, among others,” Ruto stated on Wednesday, February 12, 2024.
Prince Karim Aga Khan’s death
The Aga Khan’s charity the Aga Khan Development Network announced that he died on February 4, 2025, at the age of 88.
Prince Karim Aga Khan was the 49th hereditary imam of the Ismaili Muslims, who traced his lineage directly to the Prophet Muhammad.
Born in Switzerland, he had British citizenship and lived in a chateau in France.
The Ismailis, a Muslim sect, have a worldwide population of about 15 million, including 500,000 in Pakistan. There are also large populations in India, Afghanistan and Africa.
Prince Karim Aga Khan succeeded his grandfather as imam of the Ismaili Muslims in 1957 at the age of 20.