Aga Khan legacy will live on, says Mudavadi

The government has extended its blessings to Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, as he assumes leadership following the passing of his father, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV.

Speaking on Thursday after signing the condolence book at the Ismaili Council for Kenya offices, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi eulogised His Highness Aga Khan IV, describing him as a leader “with a very strong personality, with very broad philanthropic footprints in many parts of the world,” including in conflict regions such as Afghanistan.

“We also want to take this opportunity, and I speak, knowing that we have transitioned from him to a new Imam, the 50th Prince Rahim, who takes over. And we wish him well, God's grace, courage, and fortitude, so that he can now take up the leadership role, with all the blessings that we can offer. But most important, God's blessings,” said Mr Mudavadi, who is also Kenya’s cabinet secretary for foreign affairs.

His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, the 49th Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, was the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). He passed away on Tuesday in Lisbon, Portugal, at the age of 88.

In Kenya, as in other parts of the world, AKDN had a profound impact across various sectors, including education, healthcare, and economic development. The Aga Khan also played a key role in supporting media freedom through the founding of the Nation Media Group.

These contributions, Mr Mudavadi said, “have had a profound impact on the lives of many people, and his institutions will continue to do the same, even way beyond him, as we look into the future.”

Reflecting on his personal encounters with His Highness, Mr Mudavadi recalled meetings in France and Qatar, where he was struck by his humility and passion for art.

“We were together in Doha, celebrating the cultural aspects, you know, we liked culture and art. We were celebrating the new museum in Doha, the architectural museum, together. That was a good moment,” he reminisced.

Besides meeting him during his visits to Kenya, Mr Mudavadi also had the opportunity to visit him in Paris, an experience that left a lasting impression.

“What shocked me, at that time, was the simplicity of his house. You know, there was just one carpet in the middle, there was a table and we had tea together. I was amazed, because in my mind, I was imagining, perhaps we're going into a very pompous setup, and here we were in this very simple house where we had some tea together,” he said.

“But most significant was that he liked preserving the antiques, you know, the whole aspect of art. I could see that within that house, trying to maintain that place the way it was many years before.”

“In conversation, he was very soft-spoken but very deep. I'm sure they say, the prince is a chip from the old block. So we shall see more of that as we go ahead,” Mr Mudavadi added.

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