Murkomen: Man United vs Arsenal Coming to Kenya in July 2027

PHOTO: COURTESY / Facebook / Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen

Kenyan football fans could witness another major European football spectacle in Nairobi in July 2027 after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced plans to bring English Premier League giants Manchester United and Arsenal to the country.

Murkomen said the two clubs are expected to face each other in an exhibition match at the Raila Odinga International Stadium, popularly known as Talanta Stadium.

The announcement comes as Kenya prepares to host Bayern Munich and Ajax in a high-profile encounter scheduled for 5 January 2027. The match is expected to mark the official opening of the 60,000-seater stadium.

Speaking during a church service in Ikolomani, Kakamega County, on Sunday 8 November, Murkomen said the proposed Manchester United versus Arsenal encounter would be another major attraction for Kenyan football supporters.

“We’re opening the Raila Odinga Stadium Talanta on 5 January 2027 with the Bayern vs Ajax game, both Champions League games,” he said.

“That’s not the only game. We are bringing Arsenal and Manchester United to play in Kenya in July 2027.”

PHOTO: COURTESY / Instagram / Manchester United

The Interior Cabinet Secretary had made a similar announcement on 30 October in Makutano, Marakwet West, where he said President William Ruto would facilitate the arrival of the two Premier League clubs.

Murkomen described the new stadium as comparable to major European football venues and expressed excitement about the prospect of welcoming international football stars to Nairobi.

However, neither Manchester United nor Arsenal had publicly confirmed the proposed Kenyan fixture as of 8 November 2026.

No official match date, ticket prices, or confirmation from the clubs had been announced. For now, the proposed encounter remains a government plan, not a confirmed fixture.

The timing of the proposed match could also present scheduling considerations because Kenya is preparing to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Uganda and Tanzania.

The continental tournament is scheduled to run from 19 June to 17 July 2027. Any proposed exhibition match in July would therefore need to be scheduled around the tournament and the availability of the stadium.

The January encounter between Bayern Munich and Ajax is expected to provide an important opportunity for Kenya to demonstrate its capacity to host major international football events.

Tickets for the match reportedly attracted significant demand after going on sale on 5 November, with several lower-priced categories selling out within hours.

The ticketing exercise has also attracted concerns over fraudulent websites impersonating official ticket-selling platforms. The Sports Ministry has warned supporters to purchase tickets only through the authorised website.

Meanwhile, six Kenyans have reportedly petitioned the High Court over the proposed use of public resources to facilitate the Bayern Munich versus Ajax match. The government has maintained that private strategic partners are financing the event.

For Kenyan supporters, the possibility of watching Manchester United and Arsenal face each other on home soil would represent another major milestone for the country’s football ambitions.

However, the January Bayern Munich versus Ajax encounter will be an important test of Kenya’s ability to organise international football events before the government can turn its latest July 2027 proposal into reality.

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