Rhema Feast: 5 things to know about Joshua Selman and Julian Kyula’s friendship
By William Muthama, September 5, 2026Rhema Feast 2026 has come to an end. Still, the close friendship between its convener, Reverend Julian Kyula of Ruach Assemblies, and Nigerian teacher Apostle Joshua Selman of Koinonia Global remains one of the defining relationships behind the five-day Christian gathering.
Behind the thousands who gathered at Uhuru Park was a visible partnership between Kyula and Selman, who have repeatedly described each other as friends and brothers.
Their relationship extends beyond the Rhema Feast stage to other ministry events, public engagements and their families, with Selman becoming a recurring international voice at the Kenyan gathering.
Here are five things to know about the friendship between Kyula and Selman.
A brotherhood, not a booking
Kyula has repeatedly referred to Selman as his dear friend and brother, while the Nigerian preacher has also publicly honoured Kyula using similar language.
Selman has described Kyula as a dear friend, a friend and brother, and a true apostle of transformation.
The consistent language used by both men has helped shape the perception of their relationship as one based on mutual respect rather than a simple preacher-and-event-organiser arrangement.
Their exchanges on stage have often been marked by public appreciation, with each recognising the other’s ministry and contribution.
Honour goes both ways
The relationship has also been visible outside Kenya.
Selman has been a recurring voice at Rhema Feast, while Kyula has attended major gatherings organised by Selman’s Koinonia Global ministry in Nigeria.
In November 2025, Kyula received a red-carpet welcome at Koinonia Global’s Faith Convention.
During the event, Selman spoke warmly about Kyula, saying he had known him for several years and praising his integrity and goodness.
Selman also noted that he travels to Kenya every year and said their relationship had extended to their families.
The exchanges between the two ministers have therefore gone beyond appearances at each other’s events, with both publicly acknowledging the value of their friendship.
Selman’s Rhema role
Selman’s repeated appearances have made him one of the most recognisable international preachers linked to Rhema Feast.
He ministered at the gathering in 2022 before returning for the 2024, 2025 and 2026 editions.
His appearance at three consecutive editions further strengthened his association with the Kenyan gathering and highlighted the depth of his relationship with Kyula.
During the 2026 edition, Selman’s appearances drew enthusiastic responses from worshippers, with crowds using phone lights and loud cheers to welcome him.
Kyula also invited him to the Rhema Feast Business Forum, highlighting the wider role Selman played beyond the main preaching sessions.
Beyond the main stage
The relationship between Kyula and Selman has not been limited to the annual Christian gathering.
The two have also appeared together at other ministry and public engagements, including prayer and marketplace-focused gatherings.
Their interactions have touched on issues of faith, leadership, integrity, business and national transformation.
This wider collaboration has helped give their friendship a different dimension, with their connection extending into areas beyond preaching and worship.
For Rhema Feast, the relationship has also helped connect audiences and ministers across Kenya and Nigeria.
The 2026 finale
One of the clearest public displays of their relationship came during the final day of Rhema Feast 2026.
After President William Ruto addressed the gathering, Kyula invited Selman back onto the stage.
Selman, Kyula, Ruto and First Lady Rachael Ruto later stood together as the national anthem was performed before fireworks marked the end of the five-day event.
The moment came after days of worship, preaching and teaching that brought together thousands of Christians at Uhuru Park.
For Kyula and Selman, the appearance offered another public glimpse of the partnership that has developed over several years.
A friendship that matters
Rhema Feast may have ended its 2026 edition, but the relationship between Kyula and Selman remains an important part of the story behind the gathering.
From Selman’s repeated appearances to their mutual visits to ministry events, the two have built a partnership that has connected Christian audiences in Kenya and Nigeria.
Their public expressions of brotherhood, combined with years of collaboration, have helped make Selman’s presence at Rhema Feast feel less like that of a visiting preacher and more like that of a trusted partner in the gathering’s journey.