NAIROBI, Kenya – Charlene Ruto has opened up about her relationship with Tanzanian tech entrepreneur Isaya Yunge, revealing the qualities that convinced her to accept his marriage proposal.
Speaking publicly about her decision, Charlene dismissed the idea that Isaya’s nationality influenced her choice, saying she focused on his character and the values he brought into the relationship.
“First of all, I don’t think I said yes to him because he’s Tanzanian. It’s the person that he is inside,” Charlene said.
The daughter of President William Ruto said Isaya’s faith immediately stood out when they met. She described him as a man who loves God and said his relationship with his faith matched one of the qualities she wanted in a life partner.
“When I met him, I could definitely tell this is a man who loves God, who is after God’s own heart,” she said.
For Charlene, that spiritual connection mattered because she wanted to spend the rest of her life with someone who shared values that she considers important.
She also praised Isaya’s intelligence and ambition, describing him as “very intelligent” and “very smart.”
However, Charlene said intellectual ability alone did not determine her decision. She placed equal importance on having a partner with a clear sense of purpose.
“He’s very intelligent, very smart, and he has a purpose,” she said.
Charlene explained that she has already established a clear direction for her own life and wanted a partner who could contribute positively to that journey.
She said she has spent years building her own purpose and therefore wanted a relationship in which both partners could support and strengthen each other.
“I think it’s very important to be with someone who has a purpose, because I have a purpose. I know what I’m doing. I’ve been doing it for a while,” Charlene said.
According to Charlene, she did not want a relationship where one person would simply follow the other. Instead, she wanted both partners to bring something meaningful to the union.
“If you’re not coming to add to it, then why are we together? And if I’m not coming to add to what you have as well,” she said.
Charlene said Isaya met that standard and ultimately convinced her that they could build a life together.
“That is what made me to be with Isaiah, and I really believe he’s the one who God had kept for me,” she said.
Charlene and Isaya have since taken their relationship to the next stage, with their families coming together for a traditional Kalenjin Koito ceremony on August 8, 2026.
The ceremony took place at President William Ruto’s Intonna Heritage Farm in Kilgoris, Narok County, bringing together the Kenyan and Tanzanian sides of the couple’s families.
Charlene has previously spoken warmly about Isaya and described him as a “God-founded self-made man.” She has also praised his work ethic and personal qualities, suggesting that his approach to life aligns with what she values.
The couple’s relationship has attracted considerable public attention because of Charlene’s family background and Isaya’s profile as a Tanzanian technology entrepreneur.
