The High Court of Kenya has declined to certify as urgent a petition seeking to stop public money from being spent on the international friendly between Bayern Munich and AFC Ajax, scheduled for January 5, 2027, at Talanta Stadium in Nairobi. Justice Roselyne Aburili issued directions on November 2, 2026, ordering that the petition and the notice of motion be served on all respondents and interested parties. The petition, filed by six petitioners, seeks to compel disclosure of financial arrangements behind the match.
The petitioners, led by Erick Mankuyio and Julius Kamau, want the court to compel disclosure of sponsorship agreements, government guarantees, contracts, financial commitments, and budgetary allocations from the Attorney General, the Sports Cabinet Secretary, the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary, and Sports Kenya. They also seek conservatory orders to restrain the government from authorising, allocating, releasing, committing, or spending public funds on the event unless the spending complies with the Constitution and financial laws. The petition was filed on November 1, 2026.
The judge was not persuaded that the petition and the accompanying motion required urgent or ex parte substantive consideration for interim orders. She observed that the remedies sought in the application were substantially similar to those already pleaded in the main petition. As a result, the matter will be mentioned on November 25, 2026, for further directions. The petitioners had argued that the President’s assurance that the match will be commercially funded does not go far enough to establish that taxpayers will be shielded from financial obligations.
The petition follows President William Ruto’s October 28, 2026 announcement that Bayern Munich would play AFC Ajax at Talanta Stadium. According to a report cited by the petitioners, the German club could receive an appearance fee of about five million euros, roughly Sh727 million. However, the petitioners acknowledge that the figure has not been independently verified. The petitioners argue that their case is not meant to oppose international sporting events but to pursue accountability and transparency in how public resources are used.
The Law Society of Kenya and Katiba Institute are named as interested parties in the petition. The petitioners also seek orders preserving financial records, procurement documents, contracts, and correspondence until the case is determined. They further seek orders restraining agencies from entering into financial commitments, guarantees, indemnities, or contractual obligations that would expose taxpayers to liabilities arising from the match.
The case, filed as HCCHRPET/E737/2026, has been brought against the Attorney General, the Sports Cabinet Secretary, the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary, and Sports Kenya. The petitioners want to ensure that the government does not spend public funds on the event without proper disclosure and accountability. The court’s decision to decline the urgent hearing has given the parties time to prepare their responses.
The petition has sparked debate about the use of public funds for international sporting events in Kenya. The petitioners have raised concerns about the financial implications of hosting such events, and the court’s decision will have implications for future events. The case will continue to be heard on November 25, 2026.
Key points
- The Kenyan court has declined to certify as urgent a petition seeking to stop public money from being spent on the Bayern Munich - Ajax friendly at Talanta Stadium.
- The petitioners are seeking disclosure of financial arrangements behind the match and conservatory orders to restrain the government from spending public funds on the event.
- The court’s decision has given the parties time to prepare their responses, and the case will continue to be heard on November 25, 2026.
