Sports PS Elijah Mwangi says private sponsorship will fund the planned stadium opener.
Elijah Mwangi says a private sponsor will fund the stadium opener and insists both clubs will send their senior teams.
A private sponsor will fund the Ajax-Bayern match to open Raila Odinga International Stadium, Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi has said. He ruled out government funding for the planned January 2027 fixture in Nairobi.
Mwangi also said the arrangement involves the clubs’ senior teams, rather than legends, reserve or junior sides. He gave January 5, 2027, as the date for the stadium opener.
Private sponsor to fund Ajax-Bayern match
Mwangi addressed the funding question on October 31 during the funeral service for Nduati Kamachu, nominated Senator Veronicah Maina’s father. His remarks followed public claims that the government planned to spend billions hosting the European clubs.
In response, the principal secretary said officials had secured a private sponsor to support bringing both teams to Kenya. He maintained that the event would not use government money, addressing questions over how Kenya would finance the fixture.
The clarification came after President William Ruto announced the proposed match in a recorded address on October 28. Ruto said Bayern Munich and Ajax would open the stadium in January 2027 as Kenya prepares for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Mwangi insists senior teams will travel
Following Ruto’s announcement, debate also emerged over which squads the two clubs would send to Nairobi. Some claims suggested former players would take part, while others pointed to reserve or junior teams.
However, Mwangi rejected those suggestions and said the government had approached the senior sides of both clubs. He insisted those were the teams expected for the inaugural match, reaffirming the government’s plans for the opening fixture.
Bayern Munich is based in Germany, while Ajax is from the Netherlands. Meanwhile, the Sports Ministry argues that hosting the globally followed clubs would showcase Kenya internationally. It sees the fixture as an opportunity to raise the country’s profile ahead of the 2027 continental tournament.
