President William Ruto has honoured two prominent members of the Aga Khan family with the prestigious Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya.
According to a gazette notice dated March 7, the head of state conferred the honours on His Highness Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V and Princess Zahra Aga Khan, both children of the late Aga Khan VI.
Ruto awarded the two the highest civilian honour in Kenya. Prince Rahim Aga Khan V was bestowed as the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (C.G.H.) and Princess Zahra Aga Khan as the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (E.G.H.).
The gazette indicates Ruto honoured the two were recognised for their distinguished services in various sectors, particularly through the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).
The notice indicates Ruto conferred the honour on February 28, 2025.
The Aga Khan family has been deeply involved in Kenya’s growth for decades, with a focus on sectors like health, education, and infrastructure.
These awards not only acknowledge their personal achievements but also reflect the enduring legacy of the Aga Khan IV, whose death earlier this year left a significant void within the global Ismaili Muslim community and beyond.
Prince Rahim, born in Geneva in 1971, is the eldest son of the late Aga Khan IV. After completing his studies at Brown University and IESE Business School, he took on leadership roles within the AKDN, focusing particularly on environmental and climate-related initiatives.
With his father’s passing in February 2025, Prince Rahim succeeded him as the 50th hereditary Imam of the Nizari Ismaili Muslims, adopting the title Aga Khan V.
Princess Zahra, the eldest daughter of Aga Khan IV, has also made her mark in the development world. After graduating from Harvard University, she dedicated herself to the AKDN, where she holds key positions across its many agencies, including the Aga Khan Foundation and the Aga Khan University.
Her work spans across health, education, and microfinance, and she has been instrumental in shaping policies that support socio-economic development in Kenya and other regions where the AKDN operates.
The Order of the Golden Heart consists of three categories: Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (C.G.H.), Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (E.G.H.), and Moran of the Order of the Golden Heart (M.G.H.).
The C.G.H., awarded to Prince Rahim, is typically given to sitting heads of state or exceptional global leaders, while the E.G.H., conferred upon Princess Zahra, is given to individuals who have provided exceptional service to Kenya. The M.G.H. is typically awarded to military officers or persons with distinguished contributions in various fields.
