President William Ruto has awarded His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V with Kenya’s highest civilian honour, the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (C.G.H.), during a ceremony held at State House, Nairobi, on Tuesday, August 26.
The President said the award was in recognition of Prince Rahim’s distinguished service to humanity and Kenya, particularly through the work of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), which has invested heavily in healthcare, education, culture, and social development.
In his speech, President Ruto congratulated Prince Rahim on his assumption of leadership as the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims following the passing of his father, Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, in February this year. He also praised the AKDN for its long-standing partnership with Kenya, citing its impact on hospitals, schools, and job creation, as well as its efforts in environmental conservation.
The President further commended Princess Zahra Aga Khan, who was awarded the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (E.G.H.), for her leadership and lifelong dedication to health, education, and social advancement in Kenya and beyond.
Ruto highlighted several milestones achieved by the AKDN, including the partnership between the Social Health Authority (SHA) and the Aga Khan University Hospital, which has expanded access to advanced kidney and cardiac treatment for Kenyans.
He also pointed to the Foundation’s support for nearly 1,000 public schools, the co-hosting of the Schools2030 initiative to promote innovation in education, and the planting of 1.5 million trees in Kenya as part of a global initiative that has restored more than 100 million trees across Africa and Asia.
During the event, the government and the Ismaili Imamat signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deepen cooperation in healthcare, housing, education, climate action, and cultural preservation.
Ruto welcomed AKDN’s potential involvement in the Affordable Housing Programme, which aims to provide decent shelter for millions of Kenyans while creating jobs and empowering local industries.
He also noted ongoing collaboration through the Climate WorkX programme, which is already engaging 40,000 Kenyans in restoring ecosystems, cleaning rivers, and creating green jobs, including the regeneration of the Nairobi River.
The ceremony, however, came just days after a politically charged incident that underlined the country’s tense political environment.
On August 21, former Deputy President and opposition leader Rigathi Gachagua returned from the United States to a chaotic scene at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
His arrival drew large crowds of supporters and opponents, leading to violent clashes, the stoning of vehicles, and a heavy police response that left several people injured.
Gachagua later claimed that he had been monitored from the air and followed by “goons,” insisting that he would not be intimidated even if arrested.
The chaotic return highlighted the shifting political landscape, with Gachagua now a strong critic of President Ruto and positioning himself ahead of the 2027 elections through his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
While Ruto’s event at State House projected unity and development through global partnerships, Gachagua’s troubled homecoming underscored the deepening divisions and volatility within Kenya’s domestic politics.
Join Government Official WhatsApp Channel To Stay Updated On time
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
