 |
| Charlene Ruto in a brown gown and Isaya Yunge in a brown suit dance at their traditional Kalenjin Koito ceremony at Intona Heritage Farm, Kilgoris/photo/FB |
Kenyan President William Ruto's daughter, Charlene Ruto, held the traditional "Koito ak Chaik" ceremony on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Intona Heritage Farm in Kilgoris, Narok County, as part of Kalenjin community customs leading to marriage.
The ceremony officially brought into the public spotlight the name of 36-year-old Tanzanian businessman Isaya Yunge, who has been identified as Charlene's fiancé.
For the Kalenjin community, Koito is an important ceremony involving courtship rituals and the formal joining of families before marriage. Charlene and Yunge's event was attended by various prominent leaders and distinguished guests in Kenya.
At the Koito ceremony, Charlene appeared wearing a brown gown while Yunge was in a brown suit. The two also participated in traditional Kalenjin dances, with the venue decorated in green and cream fabrics.
The event was attended by several senior leaders, including Kenya's Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Oburu Odinga, Mama Ida Odinga, Senator Karen Nyamu, and MP Esther Passaris. Others present included Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen, Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, and Health Minister Aden Duale.
Some distinguished guests arrived by helicopter, as the ceremony proceeded with music, dance, and Kalenjin customs.
For a long time, Charlene and Yunge's relationship remained out of the public eye before news of their engagement began to emerge. Now, the traditional ceremony has clearly marked a new chapter in their journey toward marriage, while also fueling discussion about the close ties that could be built between two families from Kenya and Tanzania.
Isaya is a Tanzanian businessman and technology expert currently serving as CEO of SomaApps Technologies, the company behind SomaApp, a digital platform that connects students across Africa with educational and scholarship opportunities. Through SomaApp, over 7,000 young people in Africa have received support to access educational opportunities, earning Yunge recognition for using technology to address challenges facing youth in accessing education.
His contribution to youth empowerment earned Yunge the Queen's Young Leader Award in 2018, an honor presented by Queen Elizabeth II to young people working to bring about change in their communities. Yunge was among only two Tanzanians awarded that year.
Yunge's leadership history began in his youth. Between 2006 and 2007, he served as Chairperson of Tanzania's Junior Council, representing children in national and international forums. Later, from 2007 to 2008, he served as a UNICEF African Youth Ambassador, participating in campaigns concerning children's rights, climate change, and youth participation in decision-making. In 2007, he also gained international recognition as a young leader from Africa who addressed the G8 Summit, representing youth issues and perspectives.
In addition to SomaApps Technologies, Yunge has held the position of Director and CEO of SPEKI Technologies from January 2022 to July 2023, where he was involved in business growth, innovation, and strategic transformation within the company.
Yunge holds a Bachelor of Science in Insurance and Risk Management from the Institute of Finance Management in Tanzania. He has also undertaken studies in Economic Diplomacy and Digital Money, and later pursued training in Leading Change in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Cambridge. These steps equipped him with extensive expertise and high-level experience in his business ventures and strong international relationships.