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Who is Rev Julian Kyula and how did he start Rhema Feast? 8 interesting things to know
05th September, 2026 11:03 AM
Every September, thousands of Kenyans stream into Uhuru Park for days of worship, teaching and music.
Few know that the man behind it, Rev Julian Kyula, built his name in banking halls and boardrooms long before he built a pulpit.
Here is his story, in eight facts.
1. His childhood was shaped by relocation
Kyula attended nine different primary schools as his father, a Barclays Bank employee, was transferred around the country.
He completed his secondary education at Alliance High School in Thogoto, Kiambu County.
2. A career in finance before ministry
After school, he worked for a UK based real estate firm, then gained experience with Allegis Group in Houston, Texas, and as an operations analyst for Nationwide Credit.
He later worked in credit reporting, including a stint at the Credit Reference Bureau Africa.
3. He is a fintech founder
In 2010, Kyula founded Mobile Decisioning, known as MODE, a fintech company that grew from Nairobi into operations spanning more than 20 countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
He also chairs Beulah City, a housing development company.
4. He founded a church before the festival
In 2007, he founded The Purpose Centre Church in Nairobi. It later grew into Ruach Assemblies, where he remains founder and senior pastor.
5. Rhema Feast started small, in 2015
Rhema Feast began in 2015 under Ruach Assemblies as a non-denominational apostolic gathering.
For its first five years, meetings were held within Nairobi before the event grew into the large outdoor gathering Kenyans now know at Uhuru Park.
6. The name ‘Rhema’ carries a Greek meaning
“Rhema” is a Greek word some Christian traditions use for a word from God spoken directly to a person, as distinct from “logos,” the written scripture.
Kyula has built the gathering around that idea, describing it as an encounter rather than an ordinary church meeting.
7. The 2025 edition nearly did not happen
Eight weeks before last year’s gathering, Kyula said he received counsel urging him to postpone it. He said he prayed over the pressure and chose to proceed anyway.
Speaking on September 16, 2025, he said: “What almost looked like a cancellation turned into a move of God. Because of obedience, a nation experienced revival. Never let pressure or opinion replace what God has spoken. Obedience will always open the door to His power.”
8. It is free, and it keeps growing
Kyula has been clear about access, once posting: “Rhema Feast is here with us again and it is FREE OF CHARGE to all who desire to attend.”
The 2026 edition ran for five days at Uhuru Park under the theme “Come, Let Us Rebuild,” drawing President William Ruto, First Lady Rachael Ruto and preachers including Apostle Joshua Selman.
