Remarks · 13 February 2026
Your Highness,
On behalf of the Government and the people of Kenya, I extend my warmest congratulations to you, Your Highness Princess Zahra Aga Khan, on being conferred with the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (E.G.H.).
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.
In August last year, I had the privilege of conferring upon His Highness Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V, the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (C.G.H.), Kenya’s highest civilian honour. That recognition affirmed his personal commitment and the Aga Khan Development Network’s distinguished and longstanding service to the people of Kenya.
That occasion, together with today’s ceremony, underscores Kenya’s deep appreciation of the enduring legacy of the Ismaili Imamat, whose service to humanity is closely interwoven with our nation’s development journey.
We hold the Aga Khan Development Network in the highest regard as a trusted and reliable development partner.
Its investments in schools and hospitals have nurtured talent and saved lives, while its presence in hospitality, media, and insurance has stimulated growth and created employment opportunities for thousands of Kenyans.
These contributions align strongly with our national development agenda, which seeks to transform our economy from the bottom up while expanding equity, opportunity, and dignity for all.
Your Highness, 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. 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.
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 diverse regions.
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. Your service reflects discipline, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to human progress.
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.
Your Highness, the people of Kenya hold you and the Imamat in profound respect. Today, we honour you not only for your leadership, but also for your friendship and partnership. We do so with confidence that the bonds between us will grow even stronger, advancing our shared pursuit of dignity, justice, and prosperity for our nation, our region, and the world. I thank you. ###