Six Kenyan activists have filed a petition at the Milimani High Court's Constitutional and Human Rights Division seeking to stop the planned Bayern Munich-Ajax friendly match at Talanta Stadium. The petition, filed on November 1, 2026, challenges the proposed international friendly scheduled for January 5, 2027. The petitioners, Erick Sayialel Mankuyu, Julius Kimani Kamau, Dickson Kimathi Muli, Nicholas Ochieng Oyoo, Mulinge Muteti, and Collins Otieno, want the court to restrain the Government from committing public funds or resources towards hosting the two European football giants.
The petitioners, through lawyer John Mana Ndegwa, seek orders restraining the Attorney General, Sports Cabinet Secretary, National Treasury Cabinet Secretary, and Sports Kenya from committing public funds or resources, including personnel, security, transport, and Talanta Stadium facilities, towards the proposed friendly match. The activists argue that although President William Ruto announced that the match would be delivered through corporate partnerships and a self-sustaining commercial model, the Government has not disclosed the complete financial arrangements.
The activists are concerned about reports that Bayern Munich would receive approximately five million euros (Sh724.6 million) in appearance fees, arguing that the figure and other associated costs require official verification. In their supporting affidavit, they state that the reported amount has not been independently verified and seek official disclosure and verification from the respondents. The petition further seeks orders compelling the Government to disclose the identities of the corporate sponsors, their respective financial contributions and obligations, as well as the detailed budget for appearance fees, travel, accommodation, security, insurance, hospitality, and other logistical expenses.
The petitioners argue that describing the event as privately sponsored does not automatically establish that taxpayers will be shielded from financial obligations. They want the respondents to disclose whether public funds, government guarantees, subsidies, indemnities, public personnel, security services, transport facilities, or other government resources will be committed towards the match. The activists insist that the Constitution requires public finance to be managed with openness, accountability, and prudent use of public resources, and that Kenyans have a right to know how public institutions and taxpayer-funded infrastructure will be used.
In their notice of motion, the activists are seeking an order restraining the respondents from committing public resources towards the match. They also want the court to compel the respondents to produce, within seven days, complete sponsorship agreements, contracts, and correspondence relating to the event. The petitioners warn that unless the court intervenes, public resources could be committed before Kenyans are informed of the financial obligations arising from the match.
President William Ruto announced the fixture on October 28, 2026, describing it as an event to be delivered through corporate partnerships and a self-sustaining commercial model. The petitioners insist they are not opposed to international sporting events but want accountability over public resources, arguing that Talanta Stadium should also promote local sporting talent, employment, and sustainable economic opportunities. The petitioners want the matter certified urgent and heard on a priority basis ahead of the scheduled match.
Key points
- The petitioners seek to stop the Bayern Munich-Ajax match over concerns about the reported Sh724.6 million appearance fee and secrecy surrounding the Government's financing arrangements.
- The activists argue that the Government has not disclosed the complete financial arrangements for the match, despite President William Ruto's announcement that it would be delivered through corporate partnerships and a self-sustaining commercial model.
- The petitioners want the court to compel the Government to disclose the identities of the corporate sponsors, their respective financial contributions and obligations, as well as the detailed budget for the match.
