Charlene Ruto gets engaged to Tanzanian Isaya Yunge in glitzy Kilgoris event
Charlene Ruto and her fiancé Isaya Yunge with President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto during their traditional engagement ceremony in Kilgoris, Narok County on August 9, 2026.
What you need to know:
- Isaya Yunge, an innovator in his late 30s, was in 2018 feted by Queen Elizabeth for enhancing the way young Africans obtained scholarships.
- With the event happening nearly 300 kilometres from Nairobi, it became a grand show for those with the means to travel airborne.
The cameras captured Charlene Ruto, one of President William Ruto’s daughters, whispering a request to American-Canadian televangelist Benny Hinn at a church altar. The preacher then activated his microphone, requesting that all hands be directed Charlene’s way as he started praying.
“Lord, send that young man her way that will be a strength to her; a great support to her,” he said as Dr Ruto watched from the front pew.
“She needs a husband, Lord, and she needs that husband soon. Send him her way soon. Let him be exactly what she wants,” added Rev Hinn.
That was in February 2024. On Saturday, as Charlene’s koito (traditional engagement ceremony) was underway at the President’ home in Kilgoris, Narok County, many observers on social media flashed back to the prayer, some calling it a prophecy-come-true.
Charlene Ruto serves her dad President William Ruto a piece of cake during her traditional engagement ceremony in Kilgoris, Narok County on August 9, 2026.
The man Charlene has chosen is one Isaya Yunge, a Tanzanian innovator in his late 30s who was in 2018 feted by Queen Elizabeth for enhancing the way young Africans obtained scholarships.
In a 2020 interview with The Citizen, a Nation Media Group publication in Tanzania, Mr Yunge revealed his innovative thinking mind-set as he explained why he had come up with an interactive voice platform comparable to Siri and Alexa but which uses African languages.
Mr Yunge was born and raised in Mwanza, Tanzania, and in 2018, Forbes predicted that he could soon be a billionaire.
President Ruto, in a snippet of his speech that was posted on social media on Saturday evening, told the gathering: “Today we have called you for this ceremony as our friends from Mwanza come to visit. To all we invited, thank you for honouring our invite.”
The event was a statement of power perhaps more than love. Inside the main tent, President Ruto had his deputy Kithure Kindiki on his right and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on his left. Right next to Mr Mudavadi was ODM leader Oburu Oginga.
Ida Odinga, the widow of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, was also right next to First Lady Rachel Ruto during the bride escorting segment, as was Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga who joined other women in singing and dancing as they led Charlene to the main tent.
Charlene Ruto (center) with President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto during her traditional engagement ceremony in Kilgoris, Narok County on August 9, 2026.
Other prominent people spotted at the event included Cabinet Secretaries Kipchumba Murkomen (Interior), Aden Duale (Health), Hassan Joho (Mining), and Geoffrey Ruku (Public Service).
Principal Secretaries Julius Bitok (Tourism) and Fikirini Jacobs (Youth Affairs) were also spotted, as were Governors Susan Kihika (Nakuru) and Benjamin Cheboi (Baringo).
Mr Aaron Cheruiyot (Kericho Senator), Mr Silvanus Osoro (South Mugirango MP), Mr Oscar Sudi (Kapseret MP), Ms Linet Toto (Bomet Woman Representative), and Mr Mwengi Mutuse (Kibwezi West MP) were among the lawmakers spotted.
East African Legislative Assembly lawmaker Winnie Odinga and CNN journalist Larry Madowo were also spotted at the event.
With the event happening nearly 300 kilometres from Nairobi, it became a grand show for those with the means to travel airborne. At least 20 helicopters of all shapes and sizes, including one with Kenya Wildlife Service branding, dotted the landing bay as one VIP or another, dressed to kill, stepped out.
Glamour was on the mind of whoever dressed the attendees, and it appeared that the prevailing colour palette was brown Africa-themed wear.
President William Ruto addresses guests during the traditional engagement ceremony of his daughter Charlene Ruto in Kilgoris, Narok County on August 9, 2026.
The event was a fusion of tradition and modernity. A cake constructed to mimic a gourd pouring mursik (traditional fermented milk) was among the items on the plate for the guests. Most songs were sung in Kalenjin, even though there were prayer sessions that involved contemporary prayer.
Equally, social media was a big component of the event as various participants posted about the day. Charlene herself posted a photo on Instagram showing that as early as 4.56am, she was at a salon getting her hair done.
In a post on social media platform X Mr Mutuse said: “I congratulate [Charlene] for finding a suitor in [Isaya Yunge] from our neighbouring country, Tanzania. It is a testament that love knows no boundaries. I wish the two happiness and success in their marriage soon to be.”
Dr Bitok, Mr Osoro and Mr Sudi also shared photos and videos from the event as it went on.
“Congratulations, Charlene Ruto,” posted Dr Bitok.
“Congratulations Charlene Chelagat Ruto. Winnie Odinga was seated next to me and I whispered to her, ‘You are next’,” Mr Osoro wrote.
Speaking of social media, the commentary by the public was not short on jokes.
“In six months’ time, I want to see a grandson,” is what some commentators guessed Dr Ruto told his son-in-law.
Also on social media, a man who had proclaimed his love for Charlene, even printing her name on his jersey, claimed he was having a depressing day.
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