By Njeri Irungu,
30 January 2026.
Nairobi, Kenya.
The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air at Utalii College on Tuesday as young trainees confidently prepared espresso shots and cappuccinos before an audience of diplomats, educators and development partners. What unfolded was more than a ceremonial launch. It was the unveiling of a new pathway for youth skills development and employment.
The newly opened Barista Training Centre at Utalii College marks a significant milestone in Kenya–Türkiye cooperation, bringing together the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), the Ushiriki Wema Foundation and Kenya Utalii College. The initiative aims to equip young people with hands-on, industry-ready skills in coffee preparation and hospitality, positioning them for opportunities in both local and global markets.
Speaking at the launch, TİKA Country Coordinator Kenan Yigit said the project reflects Türkiye’s long-standing partnership with Kenya, rooted in shared development priorities. He noted that TİKA has implemented hundreds of projects across the country, supporting education, healthcare, water access and vocational training.
“These efforts demonstrate Türkiye’s commitment to sharing its development experience with Kenya and the wider African continent,” Yigit said. He highlighted Kenya’s global reputation in tourism and coffee production, observing that sustaining leadership in these sectors requires a highly skilled workforce, particularly among the youth.
Despite growing opportunities in hospitality and tourism, many young graduates struggle to secure employment due to limited practical experience. At the same time, coffee — one of Kenya’s most valuable exports — continues to present untapped potential, especially through local value addition.
The Barista Training Centre seeks to bridge this gap.
Equipped with modern coffee machines and guided by practice-based instruction, trainees will learn the full coffee journey, from bean handling and roasting to espresso preparation and cold beverages. Beyond technical skills, the programme aims to build confidence and professionalism, enabling graduates to compete in high-end cafés, hotels and international hospitality spaces.
“This centre strengthens vocational training while promoting sustainable youth employment,” Yigit said. “It also introduces elements of the Turkish vocational training model and deepens the friendship between Türkiye and Kenya.”
Turkish Ambassador to Kenya Subutay Yüksel described the centre as a timely and practical response to economic realities facing young people. He said vocational skills development remains a cornerstone of Türkiye’s development cooperation across Africa.
“Kenya is a leading tourist destination and a world-renowned coffee producer,” Ambassador Yüksel said. “To fully unlock this potential, we need skilled professionals who can add value across the coffee and hospitality sectors.”
Through TİKA, he added, Türkiye continues to invest in people-centered development by prioritising skills, knowledge and long-term sustainability.
“This centre is a concrete example of that approach,” he said. “It will improve service quality, create jobs and further strengthen cooperation between our two countries.”
Attention during the event also turned to the trainees themselves, some of whom had already completed the first phase of training. Their confidence as they operated the machines and explained brewing techniques offered a glimpse of the programme’s immediate impact.
Ushiriki Wema Foundation Chairperson Tessie Mudavadi described the handover of barista equipment as a symbol of dignity through skills. She reaffirmed her organisation’s commitment to empowering youth and women through practical, market-driven training.
“The young people of Kenya are central to our social and economic transformation,” Mudavadi said. “Skills lead to income, independence and dignity.”
She challenged long-held perceptions that vocational training is a second option, calling it a strategic response to the demands of today’s economy.
“In a country celebrated for world-class coffee, barista training opens doors locally and internationally,” she said, encouraging parents and guardians to support skills development for their children.
Utalii College, long recognised for training hospitality and tourism professionals, said the new centre significantly enhances its capacity to deliver industry-aligned education. Lecturers noted that students now train using equipment comparable to that found in top hotels and international coffee chains, easing the transition from classroom to workplace.
As the ceremony concluded, guests gathered around the coffee stations where trainees served drinks and explained flavour profiles with ease. For many students, it was their first opportunity to showcase their skills before senior government officials and diplomats.
In those moments, the purpose of the centre became clear.
Beyond coffee, the initiative represents aligned education, meaningful partnerships and youth empowerment through skills. It reflects a shared commitment to preparation over waiting, and opportunity over uncertainty.
For Kenya’s young baristas, the centre offers something deeply personal — a skill to earn a living, a pathway to independence, and a future worth brewing.
