Bayern Munich, Ajax set for historic clash at Talanta Stadium as Ruto announces opening

President William Ruto has announced that Talanta Stadium will officially open on January 5, 2027, with a historic football match between German giants Bayern Munich and Dutch side Ajax.

In an announcement on Wednesday, October 28, Ruto said the fixture will bring two of Europe’s most successful clubs to Kenya for the inauguration of the 60,000-seater stadium, which has been named in honour of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga.

“On 5 January 2027, we will open this stadium with a historic match between two giants of European football: FC Bayern Munich of Germany and AFC Ajax of Amsterdam,” he said.

Ruto highlighted the European pedigree of both clubs, noting that they had won the UEFA Champions League a combined ten times.

He also drew a connection between Germany and Raila, whose educational journey included studies in the country.

“Between them, they have been crowned champions of Europe ten times. There is a quiet poetry in this fixture; Raila had studied in Germany. Now, a great German club will come to play in the house that bears his name,” he added.

Ajax’s reputation for developing young footballers also featured prominently in Ruto’s remarks, with the President linking the Dutch club’s youth development philosophy to the meaning of Talanta.

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“And Ajax brings poetry of its own. For generations, Ajax has built its greatness on young talent, nurtured in an academy whose very name speaks of tomorrow,” he further said.

At the same time, Ruto said the decision to name the stadium after Raila was a fitting tribute to a leader whose passion for football was widely recognised.

“In October, we honoured our heroes on Mashujaa Day. Just days earlier, we marked one year since we lost one of Kenya’s greatest sons, the Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga,” he noted.

Ruto noted that Raila, who was popularly known by names including Baba, Agwambo, Tinga, Rao and Jakom, shared a deep connection with football and its supporters.

“Baba, Agwambo, Tinga, Rao, Jakom – whatever name you fondly called him, one thing was certain: he loved football. He stood in the stands. He cheered. He celebrated alongside the people. It is only fitting, therefore, that this stadium bears his name,” he stated.

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