Tanzanian technology entrepreneur Isaya Yunge is set to marry Charlene Ruto, daughter of President William Ruto, following a private engagement ceremony at Intonna Farm in Kilgoris, Narok County, on Saturday, August 8, 2026.
The couple had largely kept their relationship away from the public spotlight, with details of their upcoming wedding only emerging as preparations for the ceremony became known.
What to know about Isaya Yunge
Born on March 23, 1990, Yunge, 36, is an entrepreneur, innovator and motivational speaker whose career has focused on applying technology to challenges affecting communities across Africa.
His journey to becoming a successful technology entrepreneur was marked by significant hardships during his childhood. According to Forbes, Yunge was raised by his grandmother after his parents separated and spent part of his early years moving between foster families.
He reportedly herded livestock and worked on rice plantations while growing up. From his second year of secondary school, Yunge lived independently and took up work after classes to meet his basic needs, including food and rent.
His interest in technology grew significantly in 2014 after attending a lecture by American economist Jeremy Rifkin on the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the sharing economy and collaborative commons.
The experience inspired Yunge to explore how digital technology could be used to tackle some of Africa’s biggest challenges.
What is SomaApp?
Yunge is the founder and CEO of Somaapps Technologies, the company behind SomaApp, a mobile platform designed to connect students with thousands of scholarship opportunities in Africa and beyond.
The idea was inspired by the large number of scholarships that go unclaimed because eligible students are unaware of the available opportunities.
Yunge has received training from the Swedish Institute on sustainable business models and is also pursuing the Leading Change programme at the University of Cambridge.
He holds qualifications from Tanzania’s Institute of Finance Management and Cambridge University and is fluent in Chinese.
Beyond education technology, Yunge has expressed interest in promoting the adoption of mobile software, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things across Tanzania and other parts of Africa.
Yunge’s major awards and recognition
Yunge’s work in technology and community development has earned him several international accolades.
In 2018, Forbes Africa included him in its 30 Under 30 list, recognising young Africans making an impact in different sectors.
The same year, Queen Elizabeth II presented Yunge with the Queen’s Young Leaders Award in recognition of his efforts to use technology to develop sustainable solutions for communities.
He was later named among the 50 Most Influential Young Tanzanians in 2019.
Yunge has also participated in high-level international forums, including addressing the G8 Summit in Berlin, Germany, at the age of 17.
He is an alumnus of the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program and has continued advocating for policies that support technology start-ups and youth-led innovation across Africa.
