Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi has clarified that the Kenyan government has not contributed any public funds toward the planned exhibition match between Bayern Munich and Ajax Amsterdam.
The fixture is scheduled for January 5, 2027, and will mark the official opening of the 60,000-seater Raila Odinga International Stadium (formerly known as Talanta Stadium) in Nairobi. Speaking amid public debate over the cost of hosting the two European clubs, Mwangi said private sponsors and strategic partners are financing the event.
“The government of Kenya has not contributed towards the match. We have strategic partners who have come on board, and we are supporting them to market Kenya. From our analysis, we will have surplus from the event, which will go towards assisting us with preparations for AFCON 2027,” Mwangi stated.
He did not disclose the identity of the sponsors or the total cost of bringing the clubs to Kenya. The principal secretary emphasized that the event is expected to generate wider economic and sporting benefits. These include boosting tourism, stimulating business activity in Nairobi and surrounding counties, and providing a platform to showcase Kenyan football talent on the international stage. The involvement of the two clubs is also seen as a way to expose local players and teams to higher international standards. Mwangi has previously confirmed that the senior first-team squads of both Bayern Munich and Ajax will participate, dismissing speculation that legends or reserve sides would feature instead.
President William Ruto announced the match as part of preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Kenya will co-host. The high-profile friendly is intended to raise Kenya’s global sporting profile through the clubs’ massive worldwide followings. The clarification follows public questions about reported appearance fees and overall costs, as well as a court petition seeking greater transparency on any potential use of public resources. The Ministry of Sports maintains that the match is privately sponsored and will not burden taxpayers.