President William Ruto’s daughter, Charlene Chelagat Ruto, has married Tanzanian entrepreneur Isaya Yunge in a high-profile white wedding held in Mwanza, Tanzania.
The couple exchanged vows on Friday, November 6, at Malaika Beach Resort, in a ceremony attended by members of the two families, friends and prominent guests from Kenya and Tanzania.
President Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto attended the wedding, with the Head of State and his wife taking on the special role of walking their daughter down the aisle.
The ceremony marked a major milestone in the couple’s relationship, bringing together two families from neighbouring East African countries for a celebration on the shores of Lake Victoria.
President Ruto and the First Lady walked alongside their daughter as she approached Isaya, with guests watching the family moment unfold.
The President wore a maroon suit with a cream-coloured hat, while Rachel complemented him in a long dress featuring floral details and a matching wide-brimmed hat.
Charlene wore a white ball gown with three-dimensional floral lace detailing, long sleeves and a cathedral-length veil. Her sisters Stephanie, June, Nadia and Cullie were among the bridesmaids, dressed in matching red off-shoulder gowns.
Isaya wore a creamy-white double-breasted jacket paired with black trousers and a patterned tie.
The outdoor ceremony featured a mirrored walkway lined with white flowers, leading to a floral arch decorated with cascading roses. Guests sat on white chairs as the couple exchanged vows.
An Africa Inland Church Tanzania minister presided over the ceremony, with the couple exchanging vows at a podium bearing the church’s name.
The wedding drew several prominent Kenyan political figures, who travelled to Mwanza to celebrate with the President’s family.
Among those at the ceremony were National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.
Other notable guests included Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo and Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi.Ida odinga also graced the occasion.
The wedding also brought together members of the Ruto family, including Charlene’s siblings, who joined their parents and other relatives for the occasion.
The couple had requested privacy during the ceremony. A notice displayed at the venue asked guests not to record or take photographs during the event.
“To ensure the privacy and comfort of all our guests, we kindly request that no photographs or videos be taken during the event,” the notice read.
Despite the request, photographs and videos from the wedding circulated online as guests and attendees shared glimpses of the celebrations.
The Mwanza wedding came after the couple held their traditional Kalenjin engagement and dowry ceremony, known as Koito, on August 8, 2026.
The ceremony took place at the Ruto family’s Intonna Heritage Farm in Kilgoris, Narok County, bringing together relatives and elders from both families for traditional marriage proceedings.
In the days leading up to the Mwanza ceremony, Charlene also held pre-wedding celebrations in Nairobi, including a Mother’s Blessing gathering and a bridal shower attended by close friends and family.
