President William Ruto and First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto have joined family members and invited guests in celebrating the wedding of their daughter, Charlene Ruto, and Tanzanian technology entrepreneur Isaya Yunge in Mwanza, Tanzania.
The white wedding ceremony took place on Friday, November 6, 2026, at the luxurious Malaika Beach Resort, bringing together relatives, friends and prominent guests from Kenya and Tanzania.
President Ruto and the First Lady shared a special moment with their daughter during the ceremony, with the Head of State and his wife escorting Charlene down the aisle as she made her way towards the altar.
Charlene looked elegant in a detailed white wedding gown featuring floral decorations, long sleeves and a flowing veil, while Yunge wore formal wedding attire as the couple exchanged vows.
The outdoor ceremony featured a beautifully decorated aisle, white floral arrangements and a grand flower arch, providing a scenic setting for the celebrations along the shores of Lake Victoria.
The wedding marks the culmination of several months of celebrations between the two families, following the couple’s traditional Kalenjin engagement ceremony, popularly known as Koito, held on August 8, 2026, at the Ruto family’s Intonna Heritage Farm in Kilgoris, Narok County.
The traditional ceremony brought together elders, relatives and prominent guests from both countries for cultural celebrations and the formalisation of the couple’s union.
In the days leading up to the white wedding, Charlene also held a colourful bridal shower in Nairobi on November 3, attended by close friends, her sister Stephanie and other family members.
Reflecting on the occasion, Charlene expressed gratitude to the women who had supported her throughout her life.
“Grateful that the amazing women I have done life with over the years chose to celebrate me in my new season,” she wrote in a message accompanying photographs from the celebration.
She further highlighted the importance of faith as she prepared to begin married life, saying: “Christ as our solid foundation and rock, the Word to guide my next step, the laughter and joy of sisterhood and knowing I have their love and support as I start to do life with the one He kept for me.”
The bridal shower was followed by a Mother’s Blessing gathering hosted by First Lady Rachel Ruto, where Charlene’s mother, aunties, family friends and other women offered prayers, guidance and blessings ahead of her marriage.
President Ruto and the First Lady travelled to Mwanza ahead of the wedding, accompanied by family members and other Kenyan leaders, including Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi.
The celebrations have attracted attention in both Kenya and Tanzania, highlighting the union of the two families and bringing together people from different cultural backgrounds.
The Mwanza ceremony marks a new chapter for Charlene and Yunge as they begin their married life following the traditional celebrations in Kenya.
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