Boniface Mwangi opposes plan to play Bayern Munich and Ajax to open Raila Odinga International Stadium

Kenyan activist and presidential aspirant Boniface Mwangi has criticised plans to bring German football giants Bayern Munich and Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam to Kenya for the opening of the Raila Odinga International Stadium, arguing that the money should instead support local footballers.

In a lengthy post shared on his Instagram page on Thursday, October 29, 2026, Mwangi questioned the decision to invite the two European clubs for the January 5, 2027, exhibition match, particularly amid concerns over the cost of constructing the stadium and the welfare of Kenyan players.

President William Ruto announced the fixture on Wednesday, October 28, while attending the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum in Moscow. The 60,000-seater facility, formerly known as Talanta Stadium, will be officially opened with the match as Kenya prepares to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside Uganda and Tanzania.

Both Bayern Munich and Ajax have confirmed their participation in the fixture, which will bring the European clubs to Nairobi for the stadium’s inauguration.

Mwangi’s criticism centred on the money he believes the government could spend to bring the two clubs to Kenya. He claimed that Bayern Munich and Ajax could each receive between Ksh250 million and Ksh300 million in appearance fees, excluding additional expenses such as flights, accommodation, security and other logistical arrangements.

He questioned why the government would consider spending such amounts on foreign teams while Kenyan footballers continue to face financial challenges. “Last month, Harambee Stars players went on strike over unpaid allowances of approximately Ksh80,000 per player,” he said.

Mwangi argued that the country should prioritise paying local players and improving their welfare instead of spending heavily on an international exhibition match. “Ruto wants to pay foreign teams to play at our stadium while inviting our own football stars and aspiring players to sit as spectators,” he added.

He also suggested that if Kenya wanted international participation at the opening, it could invite African teams, including the reigning AFCON champions Senegal or neighbouring countries within the East African Community.

The activist also revisited the construction cost of the new stadium, questioning the increase from the initial Ksh35 billion budget to approximately Ksh45.85 billion.

He claimed that the additional Ksh10.85 billion raised concerns about how public funds had been spent and compared the project with the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé in Ivory Coast, which he said cost approximately Ksh33 billion.

However, the government has previously attributed the increase in Talanta Stadium’s construction cost to taxes, import-related charges and other expenses that were not included in the initial project estimate.

Instead of spending money on the European clubs, Mwangi proposed organising a week-long football tournament involving young players from all 47 counties.

He suggested that the competition could offer prize money of at least Ksh5 million, giving emerging footballers an opportunity to showcase their talent at the new facility. “Talanta Stadium is ours. We will not allow our taxes to pay for foreign teams,” he stated.

Mwangi further announced that he had instructed his lawyer to file a Freedom of Information (FOI) request seeking details of the full cost of the proposed exhibition match. He warned that he would consider taking legal action if the government proceeded with what he described as unnecessary public expenditure.

The activist maintained that the stadium’s opening should provide an opportunity for Kenyan players to shine rather than become an event centred on entertaining foreign teams.

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