President William Ruto is set to hold high-level talks with His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V during the Prince’s first official visit to Kenya since succeeding his late father earlier this year.
Prince Rahim, the 50th hereditary leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, arrived in Nairobi on Monday, August 25, for a three-day visit at Ruto’s invitation. Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi received him at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
The visit is expected to deepen collaboration between Kenya and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), which has long played a transformative role in health, education, media, environment, and economic empowerment across the country.
“This is a historic visit,” Mudavadi said, noting it marked Prince Rahim’s first engagement in Kenya since assuming leadership following the death of his father, His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, in February 2025.
Ruto previously conferred Prince Rahim with the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (C.G.H.), Kenya’s highest civilian honor, in recognition of AKDN’s contribution to the country. Princess Zahra Aga Khan, his sister, was also awarded the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (E.G.H.) for her service through AKDN institutions.
Prince Rahim, born in Geneva in 1971, has been instrumental in driving AKDN’s environmental and climate-related initiatives globally. His sister, Princess Zahra, also holds leadership roles within the network, notably at the Aga Khan Foundation and the Aga Khan University.
The talks with Ruto are expected to explore fresh areas of cooperation and reaffirm the Aga Khan family’s longstanding ties with Kenya.
