Isaya Yunge, a Tanzanian technology entrepreneur and youth leader, has come into the spotlight after marrying Charlene Ruto, daughter of President William Ruto.
The couple held their traditional Koito ceremony at Intonna Heritage Farm in Narok on Saturday, August 8, bringing together prominent figures from Kenya and across East Africa.
While his marriage to the President’s daughter has drawn public attention, Yunge had already built a profile in technology, youth leadership and social innovation long before joining Kenya’s First Family by marriage.
From a difficult childhood to technology
Born on March 23, 1990, Yunge was raised in Mwanza, Tanzania, where he experienced a difficult childhood after his parents divorced.
He spent part of his early years moving between homes and later lived with his grandmother. Before joining school, he herded cattle and goats and worked around rice plantations.
Education eventually became central to his ambitions. As a young student, Yunge became involved in initiatives supporting children living on the streets.
At the age of 16, he helped establish Sauti ya Watoto Club and worked with a local radio station to create a programme that gave street children an opportunity to share their experiences.
The initiative attracted support from UNICEF and helped raise awareness about the challenges facing children living on the streets.
His work with young people earned him recognition and, in 2007, he was selected as a UNICEF Africa Youth Ambassador.
At just 17, Yunge represented African youth at the Junior 8 Summit in Germany, where he participated in discussions alongside world leaders and was invited to engage with then German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The entrepreneur behind SomaApp
Yunge’s interest in technology grew during his university years at the Institute of Finance Management in Tanzania.
While studying, he began sharing information about scholarships, international conferences and other educational opportunities with fellow students through WhatsApp groups.
He noticed that many young people struggled to find scholarship opportunities or did not know about programmes for which they were eligible.
That experience led to the development of SomaApp, a mobile platform designed to connect students with scholarship and education opportunities.
The platform became one of his most notable ventures and helped thousands of young Africans access information about educational opportunities.
Yunge later expanded his interests into other areas of technology, including artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things.
He founded KAYA, a smart speaker designed to use artificial intelligence to collect Africa-related data, as well as Somafit, a wearable technology product designed to monitor health indicators.
Recognition beyond Tanzania
Yunge’s work has earned him recognition from several international organisations.
In 2017, his startup won the GSMA Mobile Money Africa Hackathon award for best startup in Africa.
A year later, he was recognised with the Queen’s Young Leader Award for his work using technology to expand educational opportunities for young people.
He was also featured among Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 in 2018, recognising his work in technology and entrepreneurship.
In 2019, he was named among Tanzania’s 50 most influential young people.
His career has also taken him to international platforms where he has spoken about technology, entrepreneurship and the role of young Africans in driving innovation.
Education and international exposure
Yunge holds a degree from the Institute of Finance Management and has studied at the University of Cambridge.
He has also undertaken programmes focused on leadership and sustainable business, including training through the Swedish Institute and the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Programme.
His academic and professional experiences have shaped his interest in using technology to address social and economic challenges facing young people.
A new chapter with Charlene Ruto
Yunge’s public profile in Kenya has now taken a new turn following his marriage to Charlene Ruto.
The couple’s traditional wedding ceremony in Narok attracted politicians, business leaders, celebrities and other prominent guests.
Their union has also drawn attention because of their backgrounds: Charlene is the daughter of President William Ruto, while Yunge is a Tanzanian entrepreneur whose career has been built around technology, education and youth empowerment.
Beyond the political and social attention surrounding the marriage, Yunge brings with him a career spanning nearly two decades, from youth advocacy and international forums to technology entrepreneurship and African innovation.
