Inside Charlene Ruto’s glamorous Koito ceremony in Kilgoris

The ceremony has turned the President’s expansive farm into a hive of activity, with prominent guests arriving in helicopters and motorcades, adding a touch of grandeur to the colourful cultural celebration.

From the arrivals to the carefully coordinated outfits, elegance has been the order of the day, with guests embracing brown as the theme colour.

Among those spotted at the ceremony are Cabinet Secretaries Aden Duale and Kipchumba Murkomen, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, nominated Senator Karen Nyamu, MPs Felix Odiwuor and Linet Toto, and Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris.

The high-profile guest list, coupled with the grand arrivals, has given the traditional ceremony a distinctly glamorous feel while keeping its cultural roots firmly at the centre.

Charlene is getting engaged to Isaya Yunge, a technology entrepreneur and digital innovation enthusiast.

Described as an optimist, futurist and visionary thinker, Yunge has interests in technology, entrepreneurship and digital innovation.

He was named among Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 promising change-makers and received the Queen’s Young Leaders Award in 2018 for his work using technology to create sustainable digital solutions.

His interest in technology began at a young age. At 17, he was selected as a UNICEF Africa Youth Ambassador and spoke at the G8 Summit on child rights advocacy and activism.

Yunge has also undertaken training in sustainable business models through the Swedish Institute and Leading Change at Cambridge University. He is also an alumnus of the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program.

He is the founder and CEO of Goodsam Technologies and co-founder of Smart Kaya LLC, a smart-home technology venture focused on creating hands-free smart speakers for African homes.

Koito Ceremony

A Koito is a traditional engagement and dowry negotiation ceremony among the Kalenjin community.

The ceremony, whose name means "to give away", brings together the families of the bride and groom to formalise their union, discuss bride price and celebrate the impending marriage.

It is traditionally marked by cultural performances, food and traditional attire, making it both a family occasion and a celebration of heritage.