President William Ruto’s daughter Charlene Chelagat Ruto on Saturday entered a new chapter in her life as her family hosted a traditional Koito ceremony to mark her engagement to Tanzanian technology entrepreneur Isaya Yunge.
The colourful ceremony at Intonna Heritage Farm in Kilgoris, Narok County, brought together family, friends and several prominent political figures, turning what is traditionally a family occasion into one of the most closely watched social events of the weekend.
For the Ruto family, the occasion was both a celebration of Charlene’s engagement and an opportunity to observe a Kalenjin tradition in which marriage is treated as a union not only between two individuals but also between their families.
President Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto were at the centre of the celebrations.
In a message after the ceremony, Ruto said he and Rachel were celebrating their daughter’s new chapter with gratitude.
“Today, Mama Rachel Ruto and I celebrate with grateful hearts as our daughter Charlene begins a beautiful new chapter with her fiancé, Isaya Yunge,” Ruto said.
The President congratulated the couple and prayed for their future.
“May God bless your union, deepen your friendship and fill the home you build together with love, joy and enduring peace,” he said.
Ruto also assured the couple that they would continue to enjoy the support of their families.
“As your parents, we are proud of you, we rejoice with you, and we will always stand beside you,” he said.
A ceremony rooted in tradition
The Koito, a traditional Kalenjin pre-marriage ceremony, is an important stage in the journey towards marriage.
It brings together the families of the bride and groom, allowing elders and relatives to meet, exchange greetings, discuss marriage arrangements and give their blessings to the couple.
The ceremony can also involve discussions around bridewealth, although the details and practices vary among Kalenjin sub-communities and individual families.
Unlike a modern wedding, Koito places considerable emphasis on the extended family and the role of elders.
Traditional and African-inspired clothing, cultural songs, dances, food and other customs can form part of the celebrations.
In Charlene’s case, the ceremony at Intonna Heritage Farm attracted unusual attention because of her position as the daughter of the President and First Lady.
The venue became a hive of activity as guests arrived in motorcades and helicopters, with brown emerging as a prominent theme colour.
Among those reported at the ceremony were Cabinet Secretaries Aden Duale and Kipchumba Murkomen, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, nominated Senator Karen Nyamu, Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris, Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei, Bomet Woman Representative Linet Toto and other political leaders.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s wife Ida Odinga was also pictured alongside Rachel Ruto during the ceremony.
The presence of political leaders gave the family celebration a distinctly public dimension, although the central focus remained on the couple and their families.
Who is Charlene Ruto?
Charlene is the daughter of William and Rachel Ruto and has been one of the more publicly visible members of Kenya’s First Family.
Born Charlene Chelagat, she studied Mass Communication at Daystar University before pursuing an MBA in Hospitality Administration at Les Roches in Switzerland. She also spent time as a foreign exchange student at Northwestern College in the United States.
