Kenyan football fans could get an opportunity to watch Manchester United and Arsenal face off on home soil after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen hinted at plans to bring the two English Premier League clubs to Nairobi next year.

Speaking during a church service in Ikolomani, Kakamega County, on Sunday, November 8, Murkomen said President William Ruto was expected to facilitate the proposed fixture in July 2027.

"Next year the president will bring Arsenal and Manchester United to play in Nairobi in July 2027," the CS stated.

If realised, the encounter would add to a growing list of international football events the government is seeking to stage at the new Raila Odinga International Stadium, which is nearing completion.

The proposed Manchester United-Arsenal clash would follow an already announced meeting between German side Bayern Munich and Dutch club AFC Ajax, scheduled for January 5, 2027.

That fixture is expected to officially inaugurate the 60,000-capacity stadium. Tickets have been advertised at prices starting from Ksh2,500, while organisers are preparing a 12-hour fan festival with international music performances and activities celebrating Kenyan culture.

Murkomen also disclosed that the Bayern Munich-Ajax match had attracted interest beyond Kenya. He claimed approximately 5,000 European supporters were expected to travel to the country, alongside fans from Nigeria and Egypt.

The January encounter will feature the clubs' senior teams, with both sides committing to field their strongest available starting line-ups rather than legends or academy selections.

Plans to bring Manchester United and Arsenal to Kenya had previously been signalled by President Ruto, even before the Bayern-Ajax fixture was announced. However, Murkomen's latest remarks have renewed attention on the possibility of the two Premier League rivals playing in Nairobi.

The proposed July 2027 date would fall shortly before the Africa Cup of Nations, which Kenya is set to co-host with Uganda and Tanzania.

However, Murkomen's statement does not amount to a confirmed fixture. Details such as official confirmation from the two clubs, match arrangements and ticketing have not yet been provided.

Source