NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 8 — President William Ruto’s daughter Charlene Ruto and Tanzanian entrepreneur Isaiah Yunke marked their traditional engagement on August 8 with a Koito ak Chaik ceremony at the Ruto family’s Intonna Farm in Kilgoris, Narok County. The event drew senior political figures from Kenya and Tanzania, alongside family members and prominent guests, for a celebration rooted in Kalenjin marital customs.
The Koito ak Chaik represents a pivotal stage in the marriage process among the Kalenjin community, during which families formally convene to perform customary rituals that bless and recognize the union. At Intonna Farm, the occasion unfolded with traditional celebrations, family blessings, and the exchange of gifts, underscoring the cultural weight of the engagement.
Yunke, the founder of SomaApp — a digital platform that connects young people with scholarship opportunities — has earned international recognition for his work in education and technology. His accolades include the Queen’s Young Leaders Award and a place on the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list. His Tanzanian heritage adds a cross-border dimension to the union, reflecting the close social and cultural ties between the two East African nations.
Charlene Ruto, the daughter of President Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto, has in recent years taken on a visible role in youth empowerment, climate advocacy, and entrepreneurship initiatives across Kenya and abroad. Her growing public profile has amplified interest in the first family’s personal milestones.
The gathering at Intonna Farm was largely a celebration of the two families and their transnational bond, set against a rural backdrop that highlighted the ceremony’s traditional character. As the marriage process continues along customary lines, further familial and communal events are anticipated.