Princess Zahra Aga Khan gets top State award

“This honour recognises your outstanding leadership and sustained commitment to advancing health, education, and social development; pillars that are central to human dignity and shared progress,” the President said as he congratulated Princess Zahra. 

The firstborn child of the late His Highness the Aga Khan IV and an elder sister of His Highness the Aga Khan V, Princess Zahra was conferred the award through a gazette notice published in March 2025.

In the same special gazette issue, Dr Ruto conferred High Highness the Aga Khan V (Prince Shah Rahim al-Hussaini) with the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (CGH) award, the highest civilian honour in Kenya. The investiture ceremony for High Highness the Aga Khan happened in August 2025.

Princess Zahra’s visit to East Africa, during which she has been holding meetings related to the development programmes of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), provided the opportunity for her to formally receive the national honour.

“It is with a deep honour and with great gratitude that I accept this wonderful award today,” said Princess Zahra. “I would like to accept on behalf of the over 15,000 AKDN employees and many volunteers who live here.”

“My family has had a long history in Kenya. My uncle, who is here, and my late father spent many years here as children in Nairobi,” she added. “During my late father’s life, he built many institutions in this country in many different sectors.”

Her father, His Highness the Aga Khan IV died in February 2025.

“We recall with deep gratitude the remarkable legacy of your late father, His Highness Aga Khan IV, whose lifelong devotion to improving quality of life and whose close partnership with Kenya since independence left an enduring and invaluable mark in our country. We are confident that under the leadership of His Highness Aga Khan V, this noble mission will continue to flourish and open new avenues of cooperation,” said President Ruto. 

Princess Zahra is a senior member of the AKDN leadership. She has played an active role in guiding AKDN’s work, supporting programmes that improve quality of life and expanding opportunities for vulnerable communities.

AKDN operates across more than 30 countries with a mission to improve the quality of life, regardless of beneficiaries’ faith or background, through investments in education, health, culture, the environment and economic development.

In the education sector in Kenya, AKDN runs the Aga Khan schools and the Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa, which serve over 5,000 students. Additionally, the Aga Khan Foundation provides education for marginalised children by supporting 366 public primary schools, benefiting nearly 160,000 students, more than 3,000 teachers and educators, and 9,000 parents in some of the most remote parts of the country.

In health, the network runs the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi and ISO-certified hospitals in Mombasa and Kisumu, 34 health centres and over 50 outreach centres.

AKDN’s for-profit entities include Jubilee Insurance, Diamond Trust Bank, the Serena hotels and the enterprises that form the Industrial Promotion Services.

“I commend you, Your Highness, for your tireless commitment to improving lives through the Aga Khan Development Network. As a member of its board of directors, you carry significant policy and management responsibility across its health, education, planning and building services institutions, and you have advanced impactful social and economic development programmes across many regions,” he said.

“As pro-chancellor of Aga Khan University, you have guided the institution’s pursuit of excellence in education, healthcare, and public service in faithful stewardship of the founder’s vision.

“As we mark this important occasion, we also look ahead to expanded collaboration in areas central to Kenya’s transformation. We welcome your continued partnership in the affordable housing programme, a flagship initiative delivering safe and dignified homes, creating jobs, stimulating industries, and widening opportunities for small enterprises. 

“We also look forward to working closely with you on the Nairobi River regeneration initiative through the Climate WorkX programme, which is already providing meaningful employment to thousands of young people while restoring ecosystems and building sustainable urban spaces,” Dr Ruto further said. 

Pinnacle of community

His Highness the Aga Khan’s throne, the Ismaili Imamat, is the pinnacle of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community across the world.

 “Your Highness, the people of Kenya hold you and the [Ismaili] Imamat in profound respect. Today, we honour you not only for your leadership, but also for your friendship and partnership,” Dr Ruto told Princess Zahra.

Princess Zahra, in her acceptance speech, noted that the Ismaili community has been part of Kenya for over 100 years, “contributing to society through family life, education, work, and civic engagement”.

“Kenya is recognised around the world as one of the most vibrant countries in the region and recognised as the most dynamic country in Africa due to its growth and development.

“The AKDN has contributed to this advancement by expanding access to quality healthcare, education, tourism, and economic development. The network is continuing to expand its impact across Kenya and strengthening partnerships with public institutions. I hope that we will continue to work together for many decades, if not centuries to come,” she added.

Mr Josphat Nanok, the Deputy Chief of Staff at State House, said Princess Zahra’s works have advanced inclusive growth, institutional excellence, and human dignity.

“The life and service of Her Highness Princess Zahra Aga Khan… are deeply interwoven with the progress and promise of our republic,” he said. “Her steadfast leadership, guided by principles, conviction, and moral clarity, has strengthened health systems, built enduring institutions, and improved the quality of life for countless individuals and communities across Kenya and beyond.”

Mr Amin Mawji, the diplomatic representative of AKDN in Kenya, said Princess Zahra’s recognition is of great significance.

“This honour is a profound recognition of the deep partnership between Kenya and the Aga Khan Development Network, and of the shared belief that development must place people, opportunity and resilience at its heart. Princess Zahra Aga Khan’s visit reflects our long-term commitment to working with Kenyans across the country to improve quality of life and expand pathways for inclusive progress,” said Mr Mawji.

Speaking ahead of the investiture, First Lady Rachel Ruto said her office has been pursuing initiatives that align closely with the transformative work of the AKDN.

“Princess Zahra, your work and our initiatives share a common goal of building resilience for communities. I warmly welcome you to partner with us on these initiatives and others you may see fit so that together we can amplify our impact and create stronger, healthier, and more inclusive communities across Kenya,” said the first lady.

“This honour reflects our gratitude for your commitment, your steady leadership, and your unwavering belief in the potential of our people. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition,” she added.

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