Charlene Ruto cries on first Sunday as a wife in Tanzania: All we know about the incident

President William Ruto’s daughter Charlene Ruto became emotional and broke down in tears while addressing worshippers during her first Sunday church service as a married woman in Tanzania, where she thanked God for answering her long-standing prayer for a husband.

Charlene, now Charlene Yunge, attended the service alongside her husband, Tanzanian entrepreneur Isaya Yunge, at Africa Inland Church Tanzania (AICT) Makongoro Cathedral in Mwanza on Sunday, November 8, just two days after their wedding.

Speaking before the congregation, the newlywed reflected on how she had prayed for years for a life partner who would love God and remain by her side throughout her life.

She explained that finding such a husband had been a long-standing prayer, expressing gratitude that God had eventually brought Isaya into her life.

“I had prayed to God for many years to give me a good husband, a husband who loves God and one who would be with me all my life,” Charlene told the congregation.

The moment became particularly emotional as she spoke about where she had expected her future husband to come from before meeting Isaya.

Charlene admitted that she had initially imagined marrying a Kenyan or someone from another place, never anticipating that her search for a life partner would lead her to Mwanza.

“Nilidhani nitapata Mkenya. I thought perhaps I would marry a Kenyan or God would give me someone from that other side. But by the grace of Almighty God, He gave me Isaya,” she said.

Her testimony drew attention because it offered a glimpse into the personal journey behind her marriage to the Tanzanian businessman. As she struggled to hold back her tears, Isaya stood beside her, supporting her during the emotional moment.

Charlene also expressed appreciation to the people of Mwanza, particularly those who had played a role in raising and supporting her husband before the couple met.

“I do not have many words to say, but I am very grateful to this community for taking care of my husband until the day I met him,” she added.

Isaya also addressed the congregation, describing himself as a product of the African Inland Church community in Mwanza.

He acknowledged the families who had supported him while growing up, explaining that their care had given him a wider family beyond his immediate relatives.

According to the account of the service, he spoke about people he had come to regard as aunties, uncles, grandmothers and grandfathers because of the close relationships he had developed within the church community.

He also singled out a woman whose care and affection had been particularly important in his life, comparing her love to that of his biological mother.

The newlyweds also used their first Sunday service together to make a commitment towards supporting the church.

Charlene and Isaya pledged to contribute towards the completion of the AICT Makongoro Cathedral building as a way of expressing gratitude following their marriage.

They also announced plans to establish a centre for vulnerable children in the community, extending their commitment beyond the church congregation.

Their appearance came two days after they exchanged wedding vows during a ceremony held at Malaika Beach Hotel in Mwanza on Friday, November 6.

The wedding brought together prominent guests from Kenya and Tanzania, including President William Ruto, who walked his daughter down the aisle, and Tanzanian Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba.

The white wedding followed a traditional Kalenjin engagement ceremony, known as Koito, which took place on August 8 at the Ruto family’s Intonna Heritage Farm in Kilgoris, Narok County.

Steve is a senior writer with over four years of experience in digital journalism. His focus is on showbiz and human-interest stories. Emails: [email protected], [email protected]

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