A Legacy Of Faith & Partnership, The Aga Khan’s 2025 Nairobi Visit
His Highness the Aga Khan V, arrived in Nairobi on August 25, 2025, for a historic three-day state visit at the invitation of President William Ruto. This marked his first official visit to Kenya since his accession as the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. He was warmly welcomed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by senior government officials, including Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, while Ismaili community members gathered joyfully in the city, waving flags and celebrating the Imam’s arrival. The sense of anticipation and unity that filled the air reflected not only the deep spiritual connection his followers feel for their Imam, but also the enduring friendship between Kenya and the Ismaili Imamat.
On the following day, His Highness was formally received at State House by President Ruto. In a moving ceremony, he was conferred Kenya’s highest civilian honor, the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (C.G.H.), in recognition of his lifelong dedication to advancing human dignity, education, healthcare, and development in Kenya and across the world. Accepting the honor, the Aga Khan described it as both recognition of past efforts and a pledge of shared commitment for the future. The two leaders went on to sign important agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation in environmental conservation, climate change adaptation, urban rehabilitation, and cultural heritage preservation—initiatives that will directly benefit Kenyan society while reinforcing global development goals.
The state visit concluded with a renewed sense of partnership and hope. Kenya and the Ismaili Imamat reaffirmed their century-long collaboration through the Aga Khan Development Network, pledging to align ongoing and future initiatives with the country’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda. His Highness emphasized that the Imamat would mobilize institutional resources and global partnerships to support Kenya in addressing challenges ranging from healthcare and education to cultural preservation and environmental resilience. As he departed Nairobi, the visit left behind a powerful legacy of unity, compassion, and shared purpose, strengthening the bonds between the people of Kenya and the Aga Khan for generations to come.
The visit was also profoundly spiritual. On August 27, His Highness granted a spiritual audience, to members of the Ismaili community. The gathering drew communities not only from Kenya but also from across southern and eastern Africa, many of whom were meeting their Imam in person for the first time since his accession. In his address, the Aga Khan shared blessings, conveyed deep affection, and thanked the volunteers who worked tirelessly to prepare for the visit. He held a special audience with the youth, encouraging them to embrace hope, service, and unity in their lives. As a gift of devotion and heritage, the Ismaili Muslim community presented him with a rare East African Qur’an manuscript from 1854, symbolizing continuity of faith and tradition.
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