Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen has pledged the government’s support in providing security and facilitating international travel for fans expected to attend the historic match between Bayern Munich and Ajax Amsterdam at Nairobi’s Talanta Stadium on January 5, 2027.
Murkomen said the government would ensure adequate security, immigration services and travel facilitation for supporters travelling from across the world to witness the opening of the 60,000-seater Raila Odinga International Stadium.
In a statement following a meeting with representatives of the two European clubs, the CS said he had thanked them for choosing Kenya to host the high-profile encounter.
“I met the FC Bayern team led by Mr Andreas Kufner, the Head of International Activations and Tours, and the AFC Ajax team led by Sascha Smulders, the Head of Global Travel,” Murkomen said.
“I thanked them for choosing to stage this historic match on African soil and assured them of our government's full support in providing adequate security, immigration and travel facilitation for their fans from all over the world who will attend the historic Talanta opening match.”
He described the fixture as a proud moment for Kenya and the region, congratulating President William Ruto for what he termed visionary and transformative leadership that had made the encounter possible.
“This will indeed be one of our proudest moments for our nation and the region,” he said.
President Ruto announced the January 5 fixture in a recorded address broadcast on Wednesday evening, confirming that German giants Bayern Munich would face Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam to officially open the new stadium along Ngong Road.
The President described the match as a milestone in Kenya’s sporting history, saying the facility was built to provide a world-class venue capable of hosting leading international teams.
“Two years ago, I promised the people of Kenya a world-class stadium where the greatest teams in the world would come and play. Today, we are keeping that promise,” Ruto said.
The stadium was constructed as part of Kenya’s preparations to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
Ruto said the project began in March 2024 despite doubts about whether the government could deliver a stadium of that scale within the planned period.
He described the facility as Kenya’s first purpose-built football and rugby stadium and the first international stadium built by the country since the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, opened in 1987.
The stadium features a hybrid playing surface, 52 sky boxes, video assistant refereeing (VAR) and goal-line technology.
Ruto also linked the facility to the legacy of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, saying it was fitting for the stadium to bear the name of the late opposition leader, who loved football and enjoyed watching matches among supporters.
The Bayern Munich-Ajax encounter will precede AFCON 2027, which Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are scheduled to co-host from June 19 to July 17.
