INTERNATIONAL PETITION: CANCEL THE BAYERN MUNICH VS AJAX MATCH IN KENYA – 5 JANUARY 2027
The Issue
TO:
FC Bayern Munich
AFC Ajax
The Bundesliga
UEFA – Union of European Football Associations
International sponsors, commercial partners and all other international stakeholders involved in organising the event.
SUBJECT: AN APPEAL TO CANCEL THE BAYERN MUNICH VS AJAX MATCH SCHEDULED FOR 5 JANUARY 2027 IN NAIROBI, KENYA.
Dear Representatives of FC Bayern Munich, AFC Ajax, the Bundesliga, UEFA and International Partners,
We are writing this petition as concerned Kenyans who believe that the voices and struggles of ordinary citizens deserve to be heard.
We respectfully appeal to FC Bayern Munich and AFC Ajax to reconsider their participation in the proposed match scheduled for 5 January 2027, which will mark the official opening of the Raila Odinga International Stadium at Talanta Sports City in Nairobi, Kenya.
We understand the importance of football. We know what clubs like Bayern Munich and Ajax mean to millions of supporters around the world, including in Kenya. We appreciate international sporting partnerships and would ordinarily welcome the opportunity to see such prestigious clubs play on Kenyan soil.
However, we cannot ignore what is happening in our country.
Kenya is going through a difficult period. Families are struggling financially, young people are unemployed, healthcare workers are fighting for better working conditions and salaries, university lecturers have outstanding demands, and the cost of living continues to put enormous pressure on ordinary households.
Against this background, we believe that the timing and circumstances surrounding this event deserve serious reconsideration.
WHY WE ARE ASKING YOU TO CANCEL THE MATCH
1. Public resources should not become tools for political campaigning
There are growing concerns among Kenyans about the use of public resources and national events to promote political interests, including President William Ruto's ambitions for a second presidential term.
https://beta.nation.co.ke/kenya/sports/talkup/kenya-billion-shilling-gamble-will-bayern-ajax-clash-pay-off-5654856?utm_source=chatgpt.com
A football match of this magnitude should be about football, not political publicity or building an individual's political image.
We do not want internationally respected football clubs to become part of a political publicity exercise, particularly when citizens are demanding accountability and better leadership.
2. Kenyans are struggling with the cost of living
Fuel prices in Nairobi have reached KSh 226.96 per litre for petrol and KSh 227.76 for diesel under EPRA's October 15–November 14, 2026 pricing schedule. Food, transportation, rent, electricity and other essential expenses continue to put pressure on families.
Kenya gasoline prices, 26-Oct-2026 | GlobalPetrolPrices.com
Many Kenyans are working hard but finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet.
For some households, putting food on the table is a daily struggle. For others, paying school fees, medical bills and rent has become overwhelming.
We believe these realities deserve greater attention than expensive national celebrations.
3. Public health should come before international spectacles
Kenya has faced heightened public health concerns, including Ebola-related preparedness following regional outbreaks and the confirmation of an imported case in October 2026. The Ministry of Health has emphasised disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and strengthened healthcare response systems.
Kenya Strengthens Ebola Preparedness as CS Urges Public to Rely on Official Information | Ministry of Healthhttps://www.health.go.ke/index.php/node/2688?utm_
Reports of international health precautions and travel screening in the region have also highlighted the importance of public health preparedness and international confidence.
Our concern is simple: hospitals need resources, medical facilities need proper equipment, and the country needs the capacity to respond effectively to public health emergencies. The protection of human lives should always come first.
4. Healthcare workers deserve to be paid
Kenya's healthcare sector has faced significant challenges involving staffing shortages, remuneration disputes, unresolved collective bargaining agreements and pressure on public hospitals. In September 2026, a nationwide nurses' strike disrupted public hospital services for 43 days.
https://apnews.com/article/kenya-nurses-strike-doctors-019e913b5e2be6dfc45a512cabead02e
Doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals dedicate their lives to saving others. They should not have to repeatedly fight for their salaries and rightful payments.If significant public resources are being committed to celebrations and events, Kenyans have every right to ask why more attention is not being given to strengthening the healthcare system.
5. University lecturers and students deserve better
Kenya's public universities have faced funding challenges and disputes over lecturers' salaries and collective bargaining agreements. In October 2026, lecturers participated in a nationwide strike that disrupted learning for four weeks.
https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2026-11-02-varsity-students-resume-lessons-after-end-of-28-day-lecturers-strike?utm_
Lecturers deserve to be paid what they are owed. Students deserve an uninterrupted education, and universities need sufficient funding to operate effectively. Education is an investment in the future of Kenya. It should never take a back seat to political celebrations or expensive sporting events.
6. Our roads and infrastructure need attention
There are communities across Kenya where people still struggle with poor roads, inadequate bridges, unreliable water supply and limited access to essential services. The World Bank has documented continuing infrastructure and water-access gaps, particularly in rural communities.
World Bank https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099205010262216711/pdf/BOSIB00be0e8020800a68b02235d729b923.pdf?utm_
Farmers struggle to transport their produce. Children travel long distances to school, and some communities have difficulty accessing hospitals because of poor infrastructure. The World Bank has documented how poor road conditions in parts of Kenya isolate communities from markets, schools and healthcare facilities.
Imagine what sustained investment in roads, water, electricity and public transport could do for these communities. These are the projects that make a lasting difference in people's lives.
7. Young Kenyans need jobs and opportunities
Unemployment and underemployment remain major concerns, particularly among young people who have completed college and university but cannot find meaningful employment. A 2025 World Bank report found that approximately 85% of Kenyan youth rely on informal work.
Many graduates are at home without opportunities, while small businesses are struggling with high operating costs and taxation. The World Bank has highlighted the barriers young Kenyans face in accessing secure employment, finance and entrepreneurship opportunities.
We need investment in industries, entrepreneurship, skills development and job creation. Young people need opportunities to build their futures, not just another national spectacle to watch.
8. Kenyans deserve transparency about the money involved
There have been concerns and questions about the amount of money associated with this event, including media reports and discussions about costs reaching approximately KSh 1 billion.
https://www.tv47.digital/petition-filed-in-court-to-stop-government-from-committing-public-funds-on-match-between-bayern-munich-and-afc-ajax-at-talanta-stadium-167719/#utm_
We are not asking anyone to take unverified figures as fact. We are asking for transparency. Even if private sponsors are paying for the participation of the two clubs, what about security, transportation, accommodation, logistics, marketing and other associated expenses?
Who is paying for these services? Are any public funds involved? What agreements have been made?
We believe the public deserves clear answers. A privately sponsored event should still be transparent about any public resources it uses.
9. Kenya should learn from history
We also encourage the clubs and international stakeholders to reflect on the history of extravagant sporting spectacles under former Zairean president Mobutu Sese Seko. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02533952.2017.1364469?utm_
The 1974 Rumble in the Jungle, held in Kinshasa, attracted worldwide attention and became closely associated with Mobutu's efforts to project an image of national prestige and strengthen his political standing.
Taylor & Francis OnlineThe lesson is not that international sporting events are inherently wrong. It is that global attention and impressive spectacles do not automatically translate into better living conditions for ordinary people.
Kenya should be careful not to confuse international publicity with genuine national development.
WHAT WE ARE ASKING OF YOU
We respectfully appeal to Bayern Munich, Ajax, the Bundesliga, UEFA and all international partners to:
Reconsider and cancel the proposed match scheduled for 5 January 2027.
Listen to the concerns being raised by ordinary Kenyans about the country's economic and social priorities.
Ensure that their international brands are not used to advance political interests or individual political campaigns.
Seek full transparency regarding the financial arrangements and any public resources associated with the event.
Consider the social and economic circumstances of the communities hosting international sporting events.
Demonstrate social responsibility by taking the concerns of the Kenyan people seriously.
A FINAL MESSAGE TO BAYERN MUNICH AND AJAX
Please understand that this petition is not written out of hatred for football or opposition to international partnerships.
We would love to see Kenya develop into a major sporting destination. We want our stadiums filled, our local football clubs supported, our young athletes given opportunities and our country represented positively on the international stage.
But development must benefit ordinary citizens, not simply create headlines.
We want to see a Kenya where hospitals have medicine, healthcare workers are paid, lecturers are respected, roads are accessible, young people have jobs and families can afford basic necessities.
We want our children to inherit a country where public resources are used responsibly and where national priorities reflect the needs of the people.
Bayern Munich and Ajax have millions of supporters across the world. Your influence extends far beyond football. We therefore ask you to listen to the concerns being raised by Kenyans and reconsider your participation in this event.
A stadium can be opened in one day, but building a better country takes years of responsible leadership and investment in its people.
We believe Kenya deserves more than international attention. It deserves meaningful development.
KENYA DESERVES DEVELOPMENT, NOT DISTRACTION.
OUR PEOPLE BEFORE POLITICAL SPECTACLES.
CANCEL THE MATCH. PRIORITISE THE PEOPLE.
Signed,
Concerned Citizens of Kenya
773
The Issue
TO:
FC Bayern Munich
AFC Ajax
The Bundesliga
UEFA – Union of European Football Associations
International sponsors, commercial partners and all other international stakeholders involved in organising the event.
SUBJECT: AN APPEAL TO CANCEL THE BAYERN MUNICH VS AJAX MATCH SCHEDULED FOR 5 JANUARY 2027 IN NAIROBI, KENYA.
Dear Representatives of FC Bayern Munich, AFC Ajax, the Bundesliga, UEFA and International Partners,
We are writing this petition as concerned Kenyans who believe that the voices and struggles of ordinary citizens deserve to be heard.
We respectfully appeal to FC Bayern Munich and AFC Ajax to reconsider their participation in the proposed match scheduled for 5 January 2027, which will mark the official opening of the Raila Odinga International Stadium at Talanta Sports City in Nairobi, Kenya.
We understand the importance of football. We know what clubs like Bayern Munich and Ajax mean to millions of supporters around the world, including in Kenya. We appreciate international sporting partnerships and would ordinarily welcome the opportunity to see such prestigious clubs play on Kenyan soil.
However, we cannot ignore what is happening in our country.
Kenya is going through a difficult period. Families are struggling financially, young people are unemployed, healthcare workers are fighting for better working conditions and salaries, university lecturers have outstanding demands, and the cost of living continues to put enormous pressure on ordinary households.
Against this background, we believe that the timing and circumstances surrounding this event deserve serious reconsideration.
WHY WE ARE ASKING YOU TO CANCEL THE MATCH
1. Public resources should not become tools for political campaigning
There are growing concerns among Kenyans about the use of public resources and national events to promote political interests, including President William Ruto's ambitions for a second presidential term.
https://beta.nation.co.ke/kenya/sports/talkup/kenya-billion-shilling-gamble-will-bayern-ajax-clash-pay-off-5654856?utm_source=chatgpt.com
A football match of this magnitude should be about football, not political publicity or building an individual's political image.
We do not want internationally respected football clubs to become part of a political publicity exercise, particularly when citizens are demanding accountability and better leadership.
2. Kenyans are struggling with the cost of living
Fuel prices in Nairobi have reached KSh 226.96 per litre for petrol and KSh 227.76 for diesel under EPRA's October 15–November 14, 2026 pricing schedule. Food, transportation, rent, electricity and other essential expenses continue to put pressure on families.
Kenya gasoline prices, 26-Oct-2026 | GlobalPetrolPrices.com
Many Kenyans are working hard but finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet.
For some households, putting food on the table is a daily struggle. For others, paying school fees, medical bills and rent has become overwhelming.
We believe these realities deserve greater attention than expensive national celebrations.
3. Public health should come before international spectacles
Kenya has faced heightened public health concerns, including Ebola-related preparedness following regional outbreaks and the confirmation of an imported case in October 2026. The Ministry of Health has emphasised disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and strengthened healthcare response systems.
Kenya Strengthens Ebola Preparedness as CS Urges Public to Rely on Official Information | Ministry of Healthhttps://www.health.go.ke/index.php/node/2688?utm_
Reports of international health precautions and travel screening in the region have also highlighted the importance of public health preparedness and international confidence.
Our concern is simple: hospitals need resources, medical facilities need proper equipment, and the country needs the capacity to respond effectively to public health emergencies. The protection of human lives should always come first.
4. Healthcare workers deserve to be paid
Kenya's healthcare sector has faced significant challenges involving staffing shortages, remuneration disputes, unresolved collective bargaining agreements and pressure on public hospitals. In September 2026, a nationwide nurses' strike disrupted public hospital services for 43 days.
https://apnews.com/article/kenya-nurses-strike-doctors-019e913b5e2be6dfc45a512cabead02e
Doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals dedicate their lives to saving others. They should not have to repeatedly fight for their salaries and rightful payments.If significant public resources are being committed to celebrations and events, Kenyans have every right to ask why more attention is not being given to strengthening the healthcare system.
5. University lecturers and students deserve better
Kenya's public universities have faced funding challenges and disputes over lecturers' salaries and collective bargaining agreements. In October 2026, lecturers participated in a nationwide strike that disrupted learning for four weeks.
https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2026-11-02-varsity-students-resume-lessons-after-end-of-28-day-lecturers-strike?utm_
Lecturers deserve to be paid what they are owed. Students deserve an uninterrupted education, and universities need sufficient funding to operate effectively. Education is an investment in the future of Kenya. It should never take a back seat to political celebrations or expensive sporting events.
6. Our roads and infrastructure need attention
There are communities across Kenya where people still struggle with poor roads, inadequate bridges, unreliable water supply and limited access to essential services. The World Bank has documented continuing infrastructure and water-access gaps, particularly in rural communities.
World Bank https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099205010262216711/pdf/BOSIB00be0e8020800a68b02235d729b923.pdf?utm_
Farmers struggle to transport their produce. Children travel long distances to school, and some communities have difficulty accessing hospitals because of poor infrastructure. The World Bank has documented how poor road conditions in parts of Kenya isolate communities from markets, schools and healthcare facilities.
Imagine what sustained investment in roads, water, electricity and public transport could do for these communities. These are the projects that make a lasting difference in people's lives.
7. Young Kenyans need jobs and opportunities
Unemployment and underemployment remain major concerns, particularly among young people who have completed college and university but cannot find meaningful employment. A 2025 World Bank report found that approximately 85% of Kenyan youth rely on informal work.
Many graduates are at home without opportunities, while small businesses are struggling with high operating costs and taxation. The World Bank has highlighted the barriers young Kenyans face in accessing secure employment, finance and entrepreneurship opportunities.
We need investment in industries, entrepreneurship, skills development and job creation. Young people need opportunities to build their futures, not just another national spectacle to watch.
8. Kenyans deserve transparency about the money involved
There have been concerns and questions about the amount of money associated with this event, including media reports and discussions about costs reaching approximately KSh 1 billion.
https://www.tv47.digital/petition-filed-in-court-to-stop-government-from-committing-public-funds-on-match-between-bayern-munich-and-afc-ajax-at-talanta-stadium-167719/#utm_
We are not asking anyone to take unverified figures as fact. We are asking for transparency. Even if private sponsors are paying for the participation of the two clubs, what about security, transportation, accommodation, logistics, marketing and other associated expenses?
Who is paying for these services? Are any public funds involved? What agreements have been made?
We believe the public deserves clear answers. A privately sponsored event should still be transparent about any public resources it uses.
9. Kenya should learn from history
We also encourage the clubs and international stakeholders to reflect on the history of extravagant sporting spectacles under former Zairean president Mobutu Sese Seko. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02533952.2017.1364469?utm_
The 1974 Rumble in the Jungle, held in Kinshasa, attracted worldwide attention and became closely associated with Mobutu's efforts to project an image of national prestige and strengthen his political standing.
Taylor & Francis OnlineThe lesson is not that international sporting events are inherently wrong. It is that global attention and impressive spectacles do not automatically translate into better living conditions for ordinary people.
Kenya should be careful not to confuse international publicity with genuine national development.
WHAT WE ARE ASKING OF YOU
We respectfully appeal to Bayern Munich, Ajax, the Bundesliga, UEFA and all international partners to:
Reconsider and cancel the proposed match scheduled for 5 January 2027.
Listen to the concerns being raised by ordinary Kenyans about the country's economic and social priorities.
Ensure that their international brands are not used to advance political interests or individual political campaigns.
Seek full transparency regarding the financial arrangements and any public resources associated with the event.
Consider the social and economic circumstances of the communities hosting international sporting events.
Demonstrate social responsibility by taking the concerns of the Kenyan people seriously.
A FINAL MESSAGE TO BAYERN MUNICH AND AJAX
Please understand that this petition is not written out of hatred for football or opposition to international partnerships.
We would love to see Kenya develop into a major sporting destination. We want our stadiums filled, our local football clubs supported, our young athletes given opportunities and our country represented positively on the international stage.
But development must benefit ordinary citizens, not simply create headlines.
We want to see a Kenya where hospitals have medicine, healthcare workers are paid, lecturers are respected, roads are accessible, young people have jobs and families can afford basic necessities.
We want our children to inherit a country where public resources are used responsibly and where national priorities reflect the needs of the people.
Bayern Munich and Ajax have millions of supporters across the world. Your influence extends far beyond football. We therefore ask you to listen to the concerns being raised by Kenyans and reconsider your participation in this event.
A stadium can be opened in one day, but building a better country takes years of responsible leadership and investment in its people.
We believe Kenya deserves more than international attention. It deserves meaningful development.
KENYA DESERVES DEVELOPMENT, NOT DISTRACTION.
OUR PEOPLE BEFORE POLITICAL SPECTACLES.
CANCEL THE MATCH. PRIORITISE THE PEOPLE.
Signed,
Concerned Citizens of Kenya
Supporter Voices
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on November 1, 2026