In a grand cultural affair that bridged East African borders and brought together high-profile political figures, Charlene Chelagat Ruto, the daughter of Kenyan President William Ruto, took a decisive step towards marriage with her Tanzanian fiancé, technology entrepreneur Isaya Yunge.
The couple formally marked their traditional engagement during a lavish Koito ceremony held at President Ruto’s Intonna Heritage Farm in Kilgoris, Narok County.
The Koito is a traditional Kalenjin rite of passage where families from both sides gather to negotiate bride price, exchange gifts, and grant parental blessings, formally signaling the convergence of two households before any religious or civil wedding takes place.
Dressed in coordinated earth-toned attire-Charlene in a brown gown and Yunge in a matching brown suit-the couple took center stage against a backdrop of green and cream decor. The celebration featured traditional Kalenjin music and dancing, as prominent figures from both Kenya and Tanzania gathered to witness the cross-border union.
The high-octane event saw the arrival of several dignitaries via motorcades and four landing helicopters. Among the guest list were senior Kenyan political figures, including Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, nominated Senator Karen Nyamu, and nominated MP Esther Passaris. Demonstrating bipartisan attendance, the ceremony was also attended by Ida Odinga, widow of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, alongside Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Oburu Odinga.
While Charlene Ruto has long been in the public eye as the first daughter of Kenya, the ceremony brought renewed focus onto her Tanzanian groom, whose background reflects a journey from humble beginnings in Mwanza to regional tech prominence.
The groom: From Mwanza to tech trailblazer
Isaya Yunge, 36, is a prominent Tanzanian internet entrepreneur and social innovator best known as the founder and chief executive officer of SomaApps Technologies. His flagship innovation, SomaApp, is a mobile platform designed to match underprivileged African students with global educational and scholarship opportunities. To date, the application has assisted thousands of young Africans in accessing higher education and skills training.
Raised by his grandmother in Mwanza along the shores of Lake Victoria, Yunge spent parts of his early childhood herding livestock and navigating financial hardship before entering formal education. His early interest in youth welfare led him to host a youth-oriented segment on Radio Free Africa during his secondary school years, advocating for street children.
By age 17, Yunge was appointed a UNICEF African Youth Ambassador, a role through which he spoke at the 2007 G8 Summit in Berlin on youth participation and rights. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Insurance and Risk Management from the Institute of Finance Management in Tanzania and has pursued executive training in entrepreneurship and leadership at the University of Cambridge.
Yunge’s work has earned him significant international acclaim. In 2018, he received the Queen’s Young Leader Award from the late Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace for his technological contributions to youth education. He was subsequently named an Ashoka Fellow, recognized by Forbes among 40 notable young African entrepreneurs, and highlighted as one of Tanzania’s 50 most influential young people. Beyond SomaApp, Yunge has expanded his tech portfolio into smart home systems through KAYA and health monitoring wearables through Somafit.
The bride: First daughter and youth advocate
Charlene Ruto, born in Nairobi on January 11, 1993, is the third child of President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Daystar University and completed postgraduate studies in hospitality management at Les Roches in Switzerland.
Before stepping into full-time public advocacy, Charlene worked in corporate communications, including a role as Media Relations Officer at Mobile Decisioning Holding Limited between 2015 and 2017, as well as handling branding responsibilities for the Weston Hotel.
Since her father’s election to the presidency in 2022, Charlene has maintained a visible presence as the founder of the SMACHS Foundation, an organization focused on climate action, youth empowerment, and smart agriculture.
In a 2025 interview with The Standard, Charlene highlighted her motivation for public service, stating that she remains dedicated to “empowering young people to create opportunities for themselves and succeed in life.”
A regional alliance
The union brings together one of East Africa’s most prominent political families and a leading Tanzanian technology figures. Although the couple had maintained a private relationship away from media scrutiny, the Kilgoris event officially placed their partnership on the public stage.
With the traditional negotiations and cultural blessings concluded at Intonna Heritage Farm, the two families are expected to proceed with subsequent marital formalities, including details regarding a civil or religious ceremony.