The sprawling Intonna Heritage Farm in Kilgoris, Narok County, came alive on Saturday as President William Ruto’s daughter, Charlene Ruto, marked a major traditional milestone with a colourful Koito engagement ceremony.
The occasion brought together family, friends, political leaders and other invited guests, transforming the President’s expansive farm into a hive of activity as guests arrived for the highly anticipated cultural celebration.
Helicopters were among the modes of transport used by some guests arriving at the venue, while others made their way to Intonna Heritage Farm in motorcades, adding to the spectacle surrounding the high-profile event.
The ceremony also became a showcase of style, with brown and earthy tones appearing to dominate the dress code among several of the high-profile guests.
From coordinated outfits to grand arrivals, the event blended Kalenjin traditions with the glamour associated with a high-profile family gathering.
Among the political figures spotted at the ceremony were Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, nominated Senator Karen Nyamu, Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris, Cabinet Secretaries Aden Duale and Kipchumba Murkomen, and Bomet Woman Representative Linet Toto.
Jalang’o offered a glimpse of the atmosphere through a video showing a group of leaders making their way to the venue in coordinated outfits.
“Vile Tunaingia Kilgoris Kwa Harusi ya Charlene! Harusi tunayo!!” he captioned the video.
The Lang’ata MP stood out in a maroon or brown-toned Kaunda-style suit, complete with a matching cap, dark spectacles and a walking stick. He appeared to lead the group as they walked towards the ceremony.
Sakaja was also captured arriving at the venue, while Nyamu stepped out of her vehicle in a brown-toned maxi dress before joining other guests. Passaris was similarly seen in an outfit that complemented the dominant colours at the event.
Beyond the fashion and high-profile arrivals, however, the occasion remained firmly rooted in cultural tradition.
Charlene is being traditionally engaged to Isaya Yunge, a technology entrepreneur and digital innovation enthusiast. Yunge has been described as an optimist, futurist and visionary thinker with interests spanning technology, entrepreneurship and digital innovation.
He was named among Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 change-makers and received the Queen’s Young Leaders Award in 2018 for his work using technology to develop sustainable digital solutions.
The man joining the Ruto family
Yunge’s interest in technology began early. At 17, he was selected as a UNICEF Africa Youth Ambassador and spoke at the G8 Summit on child rights advocacy and activism.
He is the founder and CEO of Goodsam Technologies and co-founder of Smart Kaya LLC, a smart-home technology venture.
Yunge has also undertaken training in sustainable business models through the Swedish Institute and Leading Change at Cambridge University, and is an alumnus of the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program.
Cherished Kalenjin tradition
For Charlene, the Koito marks an important step towards marriage and a new chapter in her life.
Among the Kalenjin, Koito is a traditional engagement and dowry negotiation ceremony that brings together the families of the bride and groom to formalise their union, discuss bride price and celebrate the impending marriage.
The Koito ak Chaik ceremony combines the traditional engagement process with a farewell ritual as a daughter prepares to leave her parental home.
At Intonna Heritage Farm, that deep cultural tradition unfolded against a backdrop of elegant outfits, high-profile arrivals and a gathering that placed Charlene’s journey to marriage firmly in the spotlight.