Kenya and Ismaili Imamat sign MoU to boost health, education and climate action

President William Ruto with His Highness Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V at State House, Nairobi. (Photo: William Ruto/X)

By Maureen Kinyanjui
Tuesday, August 26, 2025

President William Ruto described the signing as “a major milestone” in the longstanding collaboration between Kenya and the Ismaili community.

Kenya and the Ismaili Imamat have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at deepening partnerships in healthcare, education, and climate action.

The agreement was concluded on Tuesday after President William Ruto hosted His Highness Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V, the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, at State House in Nairobi during the Aga Khan’s first official visit to Kenya since assuming leadership.

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Ruto described the signing as “a major milestone” in the longstanding collaboration between Kenya and the Ismaili community.

“It laid the groundwork for even deeper collaboration in healthcare, education, environmental conservation, climate action, and cultural preservation,” he said, highlighting the mutual commitment to advancing shared development goals.

During the event, the President conferred Kenya’s highest civilian honour, the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (C.G.H.), on Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, while Princess Zahra Aga Khan received the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (EGH) in recognition of her contributions to social development.

Ruto praised the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) for its extensive work in Kenya, noting that its hospitals and health centres serve 900,000 patients annually, education programmes support nearly 1,000 schools, and environmental initiatives have planted 1.5 million trees over three years.

AKDN operates through a network of private, international, and non-denominational agencies, including Aga Khan Academies, Aga Khan Foundation, Aga Khan Health Services, and Aga Khan University.

The President also highlighted new avenues of cooperation, such as the Affordable Housing programme and the Nairobi River regeneration project, aimed at improving urban living and creating sustainable ecosystems.

Ruto paid tribute to the late Aga Khan IV, who passed away in February, expressing confidence that Prince Rahim would continue his father’s six-decade-long legacy in Kenya since independence.

“The signing of these agreements affirms Kenya’s deep appreciation of the enduring legacy of the Ismaili Imamat. We look forward to opening new frontiers of cooperation that uplift lives and safeguard our future,” he said.

Prince Rahim expressed his gratitude for the honour and highlighted the importance of continuing partnerships that improve the quality of life across Kenya.

He reaffirmed his commitment to working alongside the government on health, education, environmental stewardship, and social development initiatives.