The much-hyped friendly between German champions Bayern Munich and Dutch giants Ajax, set to open the new Raila Odinga International Stadium in Nairobi, has run into its first legal hurdle after six Kenyans moved to the High Court seeking to stop the government from committing any public money to the event.

The petition, lodged at the Milimani Law Courts and reported on Monday, wants the court to bar the State from authorising, allocating, releasing or spending public funds on the January 5, 2027 match until the case is heard and determined. The petitioners have also asked the court to certify the matter as urgent so that it is dealt with before the fixture.

What the petitioners want

The case targets the Attorney General, the Sports Cabinet Secretary, the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary and Sports Kenya. According to the court papers, the group is asking for:

  • Conservatory orders stopping any spending of public resources on the match, including security, transport, personnel and stadium facilities, unless shown to be lawful.
  • Disclosure, within seven days, of the sponsorship agreements and contracts signed with the two clubs or their representatives.
  • Names of the corporate sponsors, what each is paying and what they get in return.
  • A full cost breakdown covering appearance fees, travel, accommodation, security, insurance and hospitality.
  • Preservation of contracts, procurement records, correspondence and Cabinet memoranda linked to the event.

The Sh724.6 million question

At the heart of the dispute is a reported €5 million (about Sh724.6 million) fee for bringing the two European clubs to Nairobi. The petitioners concede they have not independently verified the figure, but argue that the uncertainty is exactly why the government must come clean.

They say describing the match as privately sponsored does not by itself protect taxpayers from direct or indirect exposure, and lean on Article 35 of the Constitution on access to information and Article 201 on openness and accountability in public finance. In their certificate of urgency, they warn that without orders, "public resources, including Talanta Stadium facilities... may be committed irreversibly."

The group insists the case is not an attack on sport. Their filings say they want transparency, value for money and a stadium that also serves local talent and creates jobs.

Government says no public money

The suit comes a day after Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi sought to calm the debate, saying a private backer was footing the bill. "We are not using government money. We have gotten a private sponsor who has supported us to bring the two teams here," he said, without disclosing the cost.

Mwangi also dismissed claims that the clubs would send legends or junior squads, saying the senior teams would make the trip.

President William Ruto announced the fixture on October 28, describing it as a commercially self-sustaining event delivered through corporate partners. The match is part of Kenya's build-up to co-hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with Uganda and Tanzania, and the Talanta stadium is one of the key venues for the tournament.

The respondents had not filed a response by the time of publication, and no date had been set for the hearing.

Photos: Citizen Digital (Raila Odinga Stadium aerial view); The Standard (Talanta stadium). Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.