Kenyan Activists Take Legal Action to Block Bayern Munich vs Ajax Friendly Over Sh724 Million Cost

A planned international football friendly between German giants Bayern Munich and Dutch side Ajax has become the subject of a legal dispute in Kenya, following concerns over the reported Sh724.6 million appearance fee and the possible use of public resources to finance the event.

Six Kenyan activists have petitioned the Milimani High Court, seeking to stop the government from committing public funds and resources towards the highly anticipated match scheduled for January 5, 2027, at Talanta Stadium, officially known as Raila Odinga International Stadium.

The legal challenge has raised questions about financial transparency, government spending and accountability in the organisation of major international sporting events.

Why Are Kenyan Activists Opposing the Bayern Munich-Ajax Match?

The petitioners are questioning the financial arrangements behind the proposed friendly, particularly reports that Bayern Munich could receive approximately five million euros, equivalent to about Sh724.6 million, as an appearance fee.

According to the activists, the government has not provided sufficient information about how the event will be financed or whether taxpayers could eventually bear some of the costs.

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

Through their lawyer, John Mana Ndegwa, they want the court to issue orders preventing the Attorney General, the Sports Cabinet Secretary, the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary and Sports Kenya from committing public resources to the event while the case is being considered.

The petitioners have also clarified that the reported appearance fee has not been independently verified by them. They are asking government officials to provide official financial records and explanations.

Activists Demand Full Disclosure of Sponsorship Agreements

One of the major concerns raised in the court petition is the lack of publicly available information about the companies expected to finance the match.

Although President William Ruto previously announced that the event would be organised through corporate partnerships and a self-sustaining commercial arrangement, the activists argue that more details are needed.

They want the government to disclose:

The identities of all companies sponsoring the match.
How much each sponsor is contributing.
The financial responsibilities of the government and private partners.
The reported appearance fee and other associated expenses.
Travel, accommodation and hospitality costs.
Security, insurance and transportation arrangements.
Any government guarantees, subsidies or financial commitments.

The petitioners also want relevant sponsorship agreements, contracts and correspondence concerning the event produced within seven days.

Their argument is that describing an event as privately sponsored does not automatically guarantee that public funds or government resources will not be involved.

Could Kenyan Taxpayers Foot Part of the Bill?

The reported Sh724.6 million appearance fee has become a major talking point surrounding the proposed football spectacle.

Beyond the possible payment to Bayern Munich, hosting two internationally recognised football clubs involves several logistical requirements. These may include security arrangements, accommodation, transportation, insurance, stadium preparation and hospitality services.

The activists are concerned that even if private companies cover the main appearance fees, government institutions could still provide resources that carry financial implications for taxpayers.

They have specifically questioned whether public personnel, security services, government transport and facilities developed using public funds will be used without adequate disclosure.

In their application, they warn that allowing preparations to continue without clear financial information could result in public resources being committed before Kenyans understand the full financial obligations.

What the Court Is Being Asked to Do

The petition was filed at the Milimani High Court's Constitutional and Human Rights Division.

The activists are seeking conservatory orders that would temporarily prevent government agencies and officials from authorising, allocating, releasing or spending public funds towards the proposed match unless the expenditure is demonstrated to comply with constitutional and financial requirements.

They also want the case treated as urgent because preparations for the January 5, 2027 fixture could involve commitments that may be difficult to reverse.

However, the petition represents the activists' demands and concerns. It does not mean the court has already cancelled the match or made a final determination on the legality of its financing.

Why the Bayern Munich-Ajax Match Matters to Kenyan Football

The proposed friendly is expected to attract considerable attention because Bayern Munich and Ajax are among Europe's most recognised football institutions.

Bringing such clubs to Kenya could create opportunities for sports tourism, international exposure, employment and business growth. Hotels, transport operators, hospitality businesses and other service providers could benefit from the arrival of international football fans and visitors.

The event could also provide an opportunity to showcase Kenya's sporting infrastructure and strengthen the country's reputation as a destination for major international sporting competitions.

However, the ongoing legal challenge highlights an important question: how can Kenya attract major sporting events while ensuring that public resources are managed transparently?

The petitioners maintain that they are not against hosting international football matches. Instead, they want assurances that public facilities and government resources are used responsibly and that local sporting talent also benefits from investments in sports infrastructure.

What Happens Next?

The future of the Bayern Munich versus Ajax friendly will partly depend on how the High Court handles the petition and whether it grants the temporary orders being sought.

For now, the legal challenge has placed the event's financing arrangements under public scrutiny.

Kenyans will be watching closely to see whether the government provides the requested sponsorship agreements, expenditure breakdowns and clarification on the possible use of public resources.

Beyond the excitement of seeing two European football giants play in Nairobi, the dispute has opened a wider conversation about accountability, transparency and the management of public money in Kenya's sports sector.