Six Kenyans ask High Court to disclose Talanta Stadium match costs

First petitioner Erick Sayialel Mankuyu and five others filed the petition at the Milimani High Court. They want the Attorney General, the Sports Cabinet Secretary, the Treasury Cabinet Secretary and Sports Kenya to disclose the identities of corporate sponsors, their financial contributions and the contracts for the 5 January 2027 friendly between Bayern Munich and Ajax Amsterdam.

The petitioners also seek a detailed breakdown of appearance fees, travel, accommodation, security, insurance and logistics. They want the information within seven days. They cite Article 35, which guarantees access to information held by the state, and Article 201, which requires openness and prudent use of public resources.

What the government has said

President William Ruto announced the match on 28 October and said: "This match will be delivered by corporate partnerships and a self-sustaining commercial model". Media reports on 30 October said Bayern Munich could receive about €5m, or Sh724.6m, as an appearance fee. The petitioners say no independent check has confirmed that figure and want the government to confirm it.

The cost dispute

TNX Africa reported that the stadium budget has climbed from an initial Sh35bn to about Sh45.8bn. The government attributes the difference to taxes and other unavoidable costs. Mpasho reported the cost as KSh 45B, a slightly lower figure. Hapakenya put the total launch bill above KSh 1.1bn, covering the Ajax fee, chartered flights, hotels, security and insurance on top of the Bayern Munich appearance fee. It said Bayern typically commands upwards of €5m, around KSh 700m, and Ajax at least €2m, around KSh 280m. Hapakenya noted Harambee Stars players had struck weeks earlier over KSh 6.24m in withheld allowances and camp funding.

Bien Baraza's criticism

Musician Bien Baraza said the stadium spend was a misplaced priority in an interview on Monday 2 November. "The problem is not the asset itself. The problem is the inflated price at which it was made," he said, according to TNX Africa. He said the money could have paid footballers' allowances and made the local league work. He also cited skater Kevin Kiarie, who he said missed an international competition for want of support.

What happens next

The petition asks the court to bar the government from committing or spending public funds on the event unless it shows the expenditure complies with the Constitution and financial laws. It also asks the court to preserve all financial records and contracts until the case is decided. The match is still due on 5 January 2027 at the Raila Amolo Odinga International Stadium, a 60,000-seat ground at the Jamhuri Sports Complex in Nairobi. Kenya co-hosts the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with Uganda and Tanzania from 19 June to 17 July 2027.