Before he became a recognised entrepreneur, Charlene Ruto’s husband, Isaya Yunge, took a different route. Yunge, who was born and raised in Mwanza, Tanzania, has in the past discussed his modest childhood, which included herding animals before he got the chance to pursue formal education.
Those early experiences helped shape his dedication to education and to creating opportunities for young people. This interest led him to set up SomaApp, a digital platform built to link students with scholarship opportunities.
According to Ashoka, the initiative has helped thousands of young people secure funding for further studies, short courses and international conferences.
Through the platform, Yunge has worked to make education more accessible, especially for students who might otherwise find it hard to finance their ambitions.
His efforts have brought him recognition well beyond Tanzania. Yunge served as a UNICEF African Youth Ambassador and represented young people at the 2007 G8 summit in Berlin, Germany.
In 2018, he was awarded the Queen’s Young Leaders Award, an honour that recognises young people making positive contributions to their communities.
He also appeared on Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 list, which spotlights promising young African leaders and entrepreneurs.
His achievements continued in 2019, when he was named an Ashoka Fellow, joining a global network of social entrepreneurs working to tackle challenges in their communities.
Yunge’s path has since taken another major turn with his marriage to Charlene, the daughter of President William Ruto. The couple exchanged vows at a wedding ceremony held on Friday, November 6, at Malaika Beach Resort in Mwanza.
Along with Alexander Ezenagu, who married Ruto’s other daughter, the two men have brought differing professional backgrounds into the First Family.
While Ezenagu has built his reputation in international law, academia and trade policy, Yunge has concentrated on technology, education and youth empowerment.
Their contrasting paths reflect the varied careers of the men who have become part of President Ruto’s family.