Isaya Yunge, a 36-year-old Tanzanian technology entrepreneur, is set to officially tie the knot with Charlene Ruto, daughter of President William Ruto, in Mwanza, his hometown. The wedding, which has been shrouded in secrecy, is reported to take place on Friday, November 6. Yunge was first thrust into the spotlight in August this year following his grand engagement ceremony to Charlene held at President Ruto's home in Kilgoris.
Yunge was born in Mwanza on March 23, 1990, and had a difficult childhood as his parents separated when he was young. He was raised by his grandmother and spent part of his childhood herding goats and cattle and working around rice plantations. He started school relatively late, at the age of seven. Despite the challenges he faced, Yunge was determined to make the most of his education.
Yunge studied Insurance and Risk Management at the Institute of Finance Management in Dar es Salaam, earning a Bachelor of Science degree. He later had training at the Swedish Institute on sustainable business models and has pursued studies in leading change at Cambridge. His educational background has equipped him with the skills to venture into the tech industry.
Yunge has built a rich portfolio in the tech industry as he is the co-founder and CEO of SomaApps Technologies, the company behind SomaApp, a mobile platform that connects African students with scholarships. The platform helps bring scholarship opportunities while matching them with students who may qualify. Besides SomaApp, Yunge is also the founder of KAYA, a smart speaker that uses artificial intelligence to collect Africa-related data.
Yunge's net worth has not been officially disclosed but industry estimates place his business portfolio at between $3 million (Ksh389 million) and $5 million (Ksh649 million). He has been recognised for his work in the tech sector with a number of awards, including the GSMA Mobile Money Africa Hackathon award for best startup in Africa in 2017.
Yunge received the Queen's Young Leaders Award from the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2018 for using technology to develop sustainable solutions and strengthen communities. He was also named among Tanzania's 50 most influential young people in 2019. Yunge has also held leadership roles, including being elected chairperson of the Junior Council of the United Republic of Tanzania in 2006.
The relationship between Yunge and Charlene Ruto, who studied Communication at Daystar University and later earned an MBA in Hospitality Management from a Swiss institution, has garnered significant attention. During their engagement in August 2026, Yunge received praise from President Ruto, who was wowed by his rise to prominence and the fact that he found a way past the tight security accorded to the First Family to steal Charlene's heart.
Key points
- Isaya Yunge is set to marry Charlene Ruto, daughter of President William Ruto, in Mwanza on November 6.
- Yunge is a Tanzanian technology entrepreneur with a portfolio of businesses in the tech industry, including SomaApp and KAYA.
- Yunge has received several awards for his work in the tech sector, including the GSMA Mobile Money Africa Hackathon award and the Queen's Young Leaders Award.
