Six Kenyans Move to Court to Block Ruto’s Planned Bayern Munich-Ajax Match Over KSh724m Cost

Six Kenyans have moved to the High Court seeking to block the government from spending public money on the planned international football friendly between German giants Bayern Munich and Dutch side Ajax at the Raila Odinga International Stadium.

The petition, filed at the Milimani Law Courts on Monday, November 2, seeks orders preventing the government from committing public funds or resources towards the highly anticipated match scheduled for January 5, 2027.

The legal challenge comes days after President William Ruto announced that the two European clubs would headline the official opening of the newly constructed stadium in Nairobi.

According to the petitioners, Kenyans deserve to know how the event will be financed and whether taxpayers could eventually bear some of the expenses associated with hosting the two football giants.

The six petitioners are Erick Sayialel Mankuyu, Julius Kimani Kamau, Dickson Kimathi Muli, Nicholas Ochieng Oyoo, Mulinge Muteti and Collins Otieno.

They want the court to issue conservatory orders restraining government agencies from authorising, allocating, releasing or spending public money on the event until the case is heard and determined.

They are also seeking orders compelling the government to disclose, within seven days, the complete sponsorship agreements and contracts entered into with Bayern Munich and Ajax or their representatives.

The petitioners want authorities to reveal the identities of the companies sponsoring the event, how much each sponsor is contributing and the financial obligations attached to the agreements.

They have also demanded a detailed breakdown of the anticipated expenditure, including appearance fees, travel, accommodation, security, insurance, hospitality and other logistical arrangements.

One of the major concerns raised in the court papers is the reported €5 million, equivalent to approximately KSh724.6 million, that Bayern Munich could receive as an appearance fee.

However, the petitioners have clarified that the reported amount has not been independently verified and are asking the government to provide official figures.

Their application further seeks disclosure of whether the government will provide financial guarantees, subsidies, security personnel, transport or other public resources to facilitate the match.

The petition comes amid growing public debate over the cost of bringing the two European clubs to Kenya, particularly after reports emerged about the financial arrangements behind the historic fixture.

On Sunday, November 1, Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi maintained that the government would not use public money to finance the match, saying a private sponsor had agreed to support the event.

“We are not using government money. We have gotten a private sponsor who has supported us to bring the two teams here,” Mwangi stated.

However, the PS did not disclose the identity of the sponsor or reveal the total cost of organising the event.

The petitioners argue that describing the match as privately sponsored does not automatically rule out indirect financial obligations involving public institutions and taxpayer-funded facilities.

They have cited constitutional provisions on access to information and accountability in the management of public resources, insisting that Kenyans have a right to understand the financial arrangements.

The proposed friendly between Bayern Munich and Ajax was announced by President Ruto on October 28 as part of the official opening of the 60,000-seater Raila Odinga International Stadium, formerly known as Talanta Stadium.

The January 5 fixture is also expected to showcase Kenya’s preparations ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which the country will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania.

The petitioners maintain that they are not opposed to international sporting events but want transparency and accountability before public resources are committed.

The High Court is now being asked to consider their application and determine whether the government should be restrained from providing public funds or resources towards the event.

Rawdesk feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com