Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi has dismissed concerns over the use of public funds to finance the much-anticipated Bayern Munich vs Ajax friendly match scheduled to be played during the launch of the Talanta Raila Odinga Stadium.
Mwangi maintained that the government has not allocated any money towards the organisation of the match, insisting that private partners have come on board to support the event as part of efforts to market Kenya internationally.
“The government has not put any money towards this match. We have partners who have come on board, and we are supporting them in marketing Kenya,” Mwangi said.
The PS also sought to address growing speculation over the calibre of players expected to feature in the high-profile encounter, assuring football fans that both clubs will bring their senior teams.
“The teams coming are the main teams, the first teams,” he stated.
Mwangi further defended the match, arguing that hosting the European football giants would provide an important platform for local players to showcase their talent and potentially attract opportunities to play at international level.
He noted that the visiting clubs had also requested that at least 5,000 tickets be reserved for their supporters travelling to Kenya, a move he said would boost tourism and promote the country’s international image.
“The teams have also requested that we reserve at least 5,000 tickets for their fans who will come to Kenya. This will translate into tourism and marketing opportunities for our country,” he added.
The match has attracted considerable public interest, with questions emerging over whether Bayern Munich and Ajax will field their first-choice squads, as well as concerns surrounding the potential expenditure of public funds on the event.
However, Mwangi’s remarks signal the government’s position that the fixture is being supported through partnerships rather than direct public financing.
The encounter is expected to be a major highlight of the official launch of the Talanta Raila Odinga Stadium, marking a significant moment for Kenya’s sports infrastructure and international sporting ambitions.
