Charlene Ruto has shared exclusive photos from her recently held Koito ceremony at President William Ruto’s expansive Intonna Heritage Farm in Kilgoris, Narok County, offering a rare glimpse into the private dowry negotiations that brought her Kenyan family together with her Tanzanian in-laws.
Taking to social media, Charlene shared photographs from the closed-door proceedings and expressed gratitude to her family, community and fiancé, Tanzanian tech entrepreneur Isaya Yunge.
“Grateful for my family’s and community’s support in my dowry negotiation and my dear husband-to-be @isayayunge for honouring me by asking for my hand. Delighted to be accepted by my Tanzanian family from Mwanza,” she wrote.
The photographs showed President Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto participating in the proceedings, with Head of Public Service Felix Kosgey seated alongside them.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and businessman Narendra Raval were also among those captured during the traditional negotiations.
President Ruto’s mother, Mama Sarah Samoei, was present, alongside members of Yunge’s family who travelled from Mwanza, Tanzania, the city where the groom hails from.
The gathering brought together family members, community representatives and prominent political and business figures for a ceremony that blended Kalenjin tradition with the couple’s cross-border union.
For the Kalenjin, Koito is a traditional marriage and engagement ceremony in which the groom’s family formally visits the bride’s family for introductions, marriage negotiations and discussions around bridewealth.
The ceremony is traditionally led by family elders and provides an opportunity for the two families to formally meet, establish ties and negotiate the terms of the union.
It is regarded as an important step in bringing not only the couple but their wider families and communities together.
Yunge, Charlene’s man, is a Tanzanian technology entrepreneur and social-impact advocate whose work has focused on using technology to expand opportunities for young people.
He is associated with SomaApp, a platform designed to help African students find scholarship and education opportunities.
His work in education and youth empowerment has earned international recognition, including a Queen’s Young Leaders Award in 2018.
His roots in Mwanza were reflected in Charlene’s message, in which she expressed her delight at being “accepted” by her Tanzanian family.
Charlene, on the other hand, is the founder and patron of the Smart Mechanised Agriculture & Climate Action for Humanity and Sustainability (SMACHS) Foundation.
It focuses on empowering young people to participate in climate-smart agriculture, food security and climate action.
The union now brings together two families from across East Africa, with the Koito providing a culturally significant bridge between Charlene’s Kalenjin heritage and Yunge’s Tanzanian roots.
