Ruto hosts Prince Rahim Aga Khan at State House
By Cynthia Lodite, August 26, 2025President William Ruto has officially welcomed His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V at the State House in Nairobi, as he is expected to receive Kenya’s highest presidential civil honour, Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (C.G.H.).
Prince Rahim arrived at the State House, where he was officially welcomed by the Head of State before signing the visitors’ book.
Ruto further expressed his joy to host ahead of the expected conferment.
In a press release by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, the Ismaili Imamat leader was officially invited to Kenya by William Ruto, and this is his first visit since he assumed office on February 4, 2025.
“On 25th August 2025, His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V made an official visit to Kenya at the invitation of H.E. Dr. William Ruto, C.G.H., President of the Republic of Kenya,” read the statement in part.
“This is the first official visit to Kenya by HH Prince Rahim Aga Khan V since he assumed the position as the 50th Hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims on 4th February 2025 and also as the Chair of the Aga Khan Development Network,” the statement read in part.
According to the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, the purpose of his official visit is the investiture of Kenya’s highest presidential civil honor, Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (C.G.H), on His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, which is expected to be presented by Ruto at the State House on Tuesday, August 26th, 2025.
Kenya-Ismaili Imamat relation
Likewise, the two leaders will have bilateral discussions on deepening cooperation between the Government of Kenya and the Ismaili Imamat.
Similarly, following a report by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this will further strengthen the work of the Aga Khan Development Network, which has numerous investments and charity institutions in Kenya ranging from education institutions to healthcare facilities, financial institutions, and the hospitality sector.
During the occasion, there will be the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Kenya and the Ismailia Imamat for the provision of the framework for the recognition of the Ismaili Imamat as the legal entity representing the Office of the Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims established in accordance with the applicable customary law of hereditary succession of the Shia Ismaili Imams, with the capacity in international relations to engage with the Government of the Republic of Kenya.
Also, there will be the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Kenya and the Ismaili Imamat on General Cooperation, which will provide the framework for bilateral cooperation in environmental conservation, urban rehabilitation, and cultural heritage preservation.
His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V is accompanied by his sister, Princess Zahra Aga Khan, a member of the AKDN Board of Directors.