The planned friendly match between FC Bayern and Ajax Amsterdam in Kenya is already causing a political stir even before kickoff. Human rights activists and citizens of the East African country have launched a campaign calling on both top European clubs to boycott the match. The criticism centers on the high costs of the event and the tense economic and social situation in Kenya.
The Munich team is scheduled to face Ajax in Nairobi on January 5, 2027. The friendly match is part of the team’s winter training and is also intended to serve as the opening event for the new national stadium.
The financial aspect of the event is particularly contentious. As reported by the Münchner Merkur, FC Bayern is set to receive an appearance fee of five million euros for the match—a sum that is now sparking debate given Kenya’s economic challenges.
Activists are calling on Bayern and Ajax to boycott the match
Critics accuse those in charge of investing substantial financial resources in an international soccer spectacle while many people in the country are struggling with rising living costs and economic hardships.
The activists also point to challenges in the healthcare system and the human rights situation.
In their view, public funds should be used primarily to improve living conditions rather than to finance an expensive friendly match between two top European clubs.
In addition, the campaign’s organizers are raising political concerns. They fear that the government could exploit the match for political purposes in the run-up to the upcoming elections.
In this regard, they point to public dissatisfaction with the government’s governance, tax policy, and the human rights situation.
Whether and to what extent public funds will actually be used to finance the appearance fees has not yet been clarified.
Kompany gives the green light for the unusual date
For FC Bayern, the trip to Kenya is particularly interesting from an economic and strategic perspective. According to information from the Münchner Merkur, head coach Vincent Kompany has already approved the unusual schedule during the winter break. Marketing director Rouven Kasper subsequently spearheaded the organizational planning.
The record champion has been pursuing the goal of expanding its international presence for years. Africa, in particular, is considered an important market with a great passion for soccer.
When announcing the match, Kasper emphasized: “FC Bayern has millions of wonderful fans in Africa with whom we feel a close connection—it’s a continent with a huge passion for soccer.”
The match against Ajax is scheduled to take place in front of approximately 60,000 spectators at the new National Stadium in Nairobi. In Germany, the game will be broadcast live on ProSieben.
However, the calls for a boycott are now adding an additional political dimension to the planned away game.
There has been no known reaction to the campaign from FC Bayern or Ajax Amsterdam so far. It also remains unclear whether the protests could affect the staging of the friendly match.