President William Ruto’s daughter, Charlene Ruto, and her Tanzanian partner, Isaya Yunge, have celebrated their white wedding in Mwanza, Tanzania, marking another major milestone in their relationship. The wedding brought together family members, close friends and invited guests from Kenya and Tanzania for the celebrations held on Friday, November 6, 2026. Charlene attracted attention with her elegant bridal appearance as she walked down the aisle in a white wedding gown paired with a long veil and a bouquet of white and red roses.
Her parents, President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto, shared a special moment with their daughter as they joined her halfway down the aisle before accompanying her towards the priest. Guests welcomed the bride with cheers as she made her entrance, marking one of the memorable moments of the ceremony.
Charlene and Isaya’s Wedding Draws Attention in Mwanza
The celebrations took place in Mwanza, the hometown of the groom, Isaya Yunge. The wedding arrangements also attracted attention, with guests travelling from Kenya to Tanzania to attend the high-profile family occasion. Reports indicated that some guests travelled aboard a private aircraft featuring personalised wedding branding bearing the couple’s names and the wedding date. The couple had also reportedly requested guests to respect their privacy through a no-photography policy at the venue.
Who Is Isaya Yunge?
Isaya Yunge is a Tanzanian entrepreneur and technology professional associated with SomaApps Technologies, a platform focused on connecting African students with scholarship opportunities. He has also been recognised for his involvement in youth leadership and education initiatives, including receiving the Queen’s Young Leader Award in 2018. His relationship with Charlene has attracted public interest, particularly following their traditional engagement celebrations earlier this year.
From Traditional Koito to White Wedding
The white wedding follows the couple’s traditional Kalenjin Koito ceremony held on August 8, 2026, at the Ruto family’s Intonna Heritage Farm in Kilgoris, Narok County. The traditional ceremony brought together relatives, friends and prominent guests from both Kenya and Tanzania as the two families formally celebrated their union. Under the Kalenjin traditions followed by the families, the bride’s family hosts the Koito ceremony, while the groom’s family takes the lead in hosting the subsequent wedding celebrations. This explains the choice of Mwanza, Isaya’s hometown, as the location for their white wedding.
Charlene’s Pre-Wedding Celebrations
In the days leading up to the wedding, Charlene participated in several celebrations organised with family members and close friends. On November 3, she held a bridal shower in Nairobi, bringing together women close to her for a colourful celebration themed around white and purple. The following day, First Lady Rachel Ruto hosted a Mother’s Blessing ceremony, where family members and friends gathered to pray for Charlene, offer marriage advice and wish her well as she prepared to begin married life. Charlene later travelled to Mwanza, where she received a colourful welcome featuring traditional dancers and a convoy of luxury vehicles. The wedding marks a new chapter for Charlene and Isaya as they begin their married life, bringing together two families from neighbouring East African countries.
