His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, the spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, will on Tuesday be awarded Kenya’s highest medal of honour — the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (C.G.H.) — by President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi.
The award ceremony will be followed by bilateral talks between the President and Prince Rahim. The discussions will focus on strengthening existing partnerships and exploring new areas of cooperation aimed at improving millions of lives in Kenya and beyond.
Prince Rahim arrived in the country on Monday evening, making his first official visit to Kenya since assuming leadership of the Ismaili community after the death of his father, the late His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, in February 2025.
According to the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, the visit comes at the invitation of President Ruto and highlights the strong ties between Kenya and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).
“He is on a three-day official visit at Ruto’s invitation. The purpose of the official visit is the investiture of Kenya’s highest Presidential civil honour of Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (C.G.H.) on His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V by H.E. the President of Kenya at State House on 26th August 2025,” read a statement.
The Ministry added that bilateral talks will focus on expanding cooperation between Kenya and the Ismaili Imamat, strengthening the work of the Aga Khan Development Network in the country. The AKDN has major investments and social development programmes in Kenya, including schools, hospitals, financial institutions, and hospitality ventures.
During the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed to formally recognise the Ismaili Imamat as a legal entity with the capacity to engage in international relations with Kenya. Another agreement on general cooperation will also be signed, covering areas such as environmental conservation, urban rehabilitation, and cultural heritage preservation.
Prince Rahim is accompanied by his sister, Princess Zahra Aga Khan, who is a member of the AKDN Board of Directors.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
