The proposed Bayern Munich and Ajax friendly faces a court challenge over public funding.
Six petitioners seek orders blocking public spending on the January 5 match and demand disclosure of contracts and sponsorship details.
Six petitioners have moved to the High Court to challenge public funding for the Bayern Ajax friendly scheduled for January 5 in Nairobi. They want orders stopping the government from committing money or resources to the proposed match.
The petitioners filed their case on November 2, citing alleged government spending commitments for the event at Raila Odinga International Stadium. However, Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi says a private sponsor will fund the fixture.
Petition targets Bayern Ajax friendly spending
The petitioners seek conservatory orders barring the government and other respondents from approving, allocating, releasing or spending public funds. They want those restrictions to remain in place until the court hears and determines the case.
They also seek disclosure of the full sponsorship agreements and contracts with the clubs or their representatives. Their requested orders would require the respondents to provide those documents within seven days.
In addition, the petitioners want the identities of corporate sponsors, their contributions and their financial obligations. They are asking for a detailed expenditure breakdown covering appearance fees, travel, accommodation, security, insurance, hospitality and other logistics.
The court papers cite an estimated hosting cost of Ksh724.6 million, equivalent to €5 million. However, the petitioners acknowledge that the figure lacks independent verification and requires official clarification.
Mwangi says private sponsor will fund match
The court move follows Mwangi’s statement a day earlier that the government would not finance the friendly. He said a private sponsor had supported efforts to bring the two European clubs to Kenya.
President William Ruto announced the proposed encounter between Germany’s Bayern Munich and Dutch club AFC Ajax at Talanta Stadium. The fixture forms part of Kenya’s preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Following that announcement, claims emerged that the clubs would send legends, reserve or junior sides. Mwangi, however, rejected those claims and maintained that both clubs would bring their senior teams.
He said the government had approached the clubs’ senior sides for the inaugural match in Nairobi. The petition meanwhile seeks court scrutiny of the financial arrangements surrounding the planned fixture.
