Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has criticised President William Ruto's latest major announcement. Ruto revealed that Bayern Munich and Ajax Amsterdam will play a friendly match in Nairobi. Sifuna said Kenyans had hoped instead for news on more than 1,000 citizens reportedly caught up in Russia's war against Ukraine.
Ruto made the announcement while in Moscow for the third Russia-Africa summit. According to The Eastleigh Voice, it came in a recorded address broadcast on Wednesday evening, October 28. The Standard reported that it came on Thursday evening. The German and Dutch clubs will play on January 5, 2027, to mark the opening of the new Raila Odinga International Stadium.
Sifuna spoke on Friday in Lavington, Nairobi. He was opening offices for the Linda Mwananchi Movement Party, formerly The Equitable Party, which he leads. According to The Eastleigh Voice, he said some Kenyans had been "waiting with bated breath" because the President was in Russia. "Instead, he told us that two European teams are coming to Nairobi to play a football match," Sifuna said.
Sifuna promised that, if elected president in 2027, he would personally intervene for Kenyans detained in Ukraine. He said his government would bring home all Kenyans stranded abroad, whether they left voluntarily or not. He pointed to countries whose leaders arrange evacuations by air and sea when their citizens face danger abroad.
Sifuna also set out his campaign pledges. The Standard reported that he promised to abolish taxes on fuel and electricity and to scrap the housing levy. He said he wanted to cut KSh 500 billion from the government budget and return the money to Kenyans. He also promised to cut spending at State House. The savings would fund collective bargaining agreements with lecturers, nurses and other public workers.
Opposition leaders backed his ambitions. Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka said they would support Sifuna if he became the United Opposition flag bearer. Democratic Action Party of Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa also attended. Gachagua said he would lead the presidential campaign himself, replacing George Natembeya in the role.
Kalonzo asked the party to invite opposition leaders to its National Delegates Conference on November 13, 2026. The sources do not report any response to Sifuna's criticism from Ruto or State House.