By Jameson
The Ushiriki Wema Foundation has handed over state of the art barista machines to Kenya Utalii College in Nairobi in a move aimed at strengthening vocational training and expanding employment opportunities for young people in Kenya’s hospitality and coffee sectors.
The handover ceremony, held on Thursday morning at the college, was led by the Foundation Chair H.E. Tessie Musalia and attended by Türkiye Ambassador to Kenya H.E. Subutay Yüksel, representatives from the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency TİKA, government officials, students and trainers.
Speaking during the event, Musalia underscored the central role of youth in Kenya’s social and economic transformation, noting that practical skills development remains key to income generation, independence and dignity. She said the donation aligns with the Foundation’s Women and Youth Empowerment Program, which focuses on equipping young people with market ready competencies.
She expressed confidence that the equipment would strengthen the college’s training capacity and enable more students to access specialized barista skills, adding that the coffee sector offers strong employment and entrepreneurship opportunities both locally and internationally.
Musalia also urged parents and guardians to support technical training, pointing to the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Act of 2013, which recognizes skills development as a driver of employment creation and productivity. She emphasized that vocational training should be viewed as a strategic pathway to economic empowerment rather than a lesser academic option.
Addressing trainees, she encouraged them to remain disciplined, curious and committed to mastering not only technical skills but also interpersonal and business competencies that are essential in the hospitality industry.
Ambassador Yüksel described the launch of the Barista Training Centre as a milestone in strengthening Kenya’s tourism and coffee value chains. He noted that Kenya’s global reputation for high quality coffee and its strong tourism sector create demand for skilled professionals who can add value across the industry.
He said the project was made possible through a partnership between the Government of Türkiye, TİKA and the Ushiriki Wema Foundation, reflecting Türkiye’s broader commitment to vocational training, employment creation and sustainable development across Africa.
According to the ambassador, TİKA has implemented nearly 291 development projects in Kenya since 2006 valued at over 11 million US dollars, focusing on skills transfer and human capacity development.
The new training centre at Utalii College is equipped with modern technology and will offer both theoretical and practical instruction covering the coffee journey from production to final service. Students will receive hands on training in roasting techniques, espresso preparation and cold beverage service to meet international hospitality standards.
TİKA Country Director Mr. Kenan Yigit said the initiative aims to improve service quality in Kenya’s hospitality industry, create added value along the coffee chain and increase employability among youth and women while strengthening technical cooperation between Kenya and Türkiye.
Kenya Utalii College officials welcomed the partnership, noting that the additional equipment will enhance the institution’s ability to train globally competitive hospitality professionals and respond to industry demands.
The project is expected to contribute to the growth of Kenya’s coffee culture, support sustainable youth employment and reinforce bilateral cooperation between Kenya and Türkiye through skills based development initiatives.
