Madam Tessie Musalia, spouse to Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Chair of the Ushiriki Wema Foundation, has urged students at Kenya Utalii College to turn acquired skills into life-changing opportunities.
She emphasised that “training alone will not change your lives; learning to operate the barista machine will transform them,” as she officially handed over state-of-the-art barista machines to the institution.
The handover marks a landmark initiative aimed at strengthening vocational training and expanding youth employment opportunities in Kenya’s hospitality and coffee sectors.
The project is part of a broader partnership between the Ushiriki Wema Foundation and the Government of the Republic of Türkiye, through the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), to establish a fully equipped Barista Training Centre at the college.
Speaking during the event, Madam Musalia underscored that skills training must be coupled with discipline, professionalism, and real-world competence.
“Ushiriki Wema Foundation continues to equip youth with practical skills that translate into income generation, independence and dignity through our Women and Youth Empowerment Program,” she said.
She encouraged trainees to fully utilise the machines for their future benefit.
“Be disciplined. Be curious. Master your craft. Learn not only how to make coffee but also how to serve people, manage time, handle money, and build respectful relationships,” Musalia said.
The initiative equips students with industry-aligned, practical skills across the coffee value chain, enhancing employability and income opportunities both locally and internationally, while adding value to Kenya’s globally respected coffee industry.
The launch brought together key stakeholders in youth empowerment and international cooperation, including the Turkish Ambassador to Kenya, Subutay Yuksel, and the TİKA Country Director, Mr Kenan Yigit.
The leaders emphasised the strong and growing partnership between Kenya and Türkiye in skills-based development to ensure trainees are well equipped for the job market.
Ambassador Yuksel reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to youth empowerment and vocational training in Kenya, noting that tourism and coffee remain vital pillars of the country’s economy.
“Kenya is one of Africa’s leading tourist destinations and is globally recognised for its high-quality coffee. To unlock the full potential of these sectors, there is a growing need for skilled professionals who can add value across the coffee industry,” he said.
The Ambassador commended Madam Tessie for her dedication to social development and youth empowerment, which he said were instrumental to the project’s success.
He added that since 2006, TİKA has implemented nearly 291 development projects in Kenya valued at over USD 11.16 million, demonstrating Türkiye’s commitment to people-centred and sustainable development.
The Barista Training Centre is now fully operational, equipped with modern technology, and offers both theoretical and hands-on training across the entire coffee journey from farm to cup.
“It is within this framework that the Government of Türkiye, through TİKA, partnered with the Ushiriki Wema Foundation to support the establishment of this Barista Training Centre,” the Ambassador said.
He noted that trainees will gain skills in roasting techniques, espresso-based beverages, and cold drink preparation, positioning them competitively within the global coffee and hospitality industries.
The project aims to train professional baristas for Kenya’s coffee and tourism sectors, improve service quality in the hospitality industry, and create additional value along the coffee production and consumption chain.
Ambassador Yuksel said the initiative will increase employability, particularly among youth and women, and strengthen technical ties between Türkiye and Kenya through skills and technology transfer.
“The Barista Training Centre at Utalii College is a concrete example of this approach. It will contribute to Kenya’s coffee culture, support sustainable employment, and enhance service standards in tourism,” he noted.
The Ambassador described the initiative as a symbol of the deepening friendship between Türkiye and Kenya, based on mutual respect, shared values, and a common vision for sustainable development.
He expressed confidence that the centre will become a model for vocational training in Africa and a symbol of Türkiye–Kenya cooperation.
By Ian Chepkuto
