STANDARD MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MoU)

BETWEEN

A COUNTY GOVERNMENT

AND

KENYA COFFEE SCHOOL (KCS)

AND

BARISTA MTAANI

STANDARD MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MoU)

BETWEEN

A COUNTY GOVERNMENT

AND

KENYA COFFEE SCHOOL (KCS)

AND

BARISTA MTAANI

1. PREAMBLE

This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is entered into between:

  1. The County Government of ____________________, a devolved government established under the Constitution of Kenya (hereinafter referred to as “the County Government”);
  2. Kenya Coffee School (KCS), a specialized coffee education and training institution (hereinafter referred to as “KCS”);
  3. Barista Mtaani, a community-based coffee skills training and grassroots implementation initiative (hereinafter referred to as “Barista Mtaani”).

Collectively referred to as “the Parties”.

This MoU establishes a collaborative framework for the implementation of Open Skills Education (OSE) within the coffee value chain at county level.

2. PURPOSE OF THE MoU

The purpose of this MoU is to:

  • Institutionalize Open Skills Education (OSE) at county level;
  • Strengthen practical, skills-based coffee training;
  • Improve coffee quality, value addition, and income realization;
  • Promote youth, women, and farmer inclusion;
  • Support local economic development through coffee.

3. SCOPE OF COLLABORATION

This MoU shall cover, but not be limited to:

  • Coffee skills training and capacity building;
  • Establishment and operation of county-based training hubs;
  • Access to sample roasting, cupping, and quality evaluation;
  • Skills assessment and certification;
  • MSME development and employment pathways;
  • Community outreach and farmer engagement.

4. GUIDING PRINCIPLES

The Parties agree to be guided by the following principles:

  1. Open access to skills training regardless of academic background;
  2. Practical, competency-based learning;
  3. Equity, inclusion, and youth empowerment;
  4. Respect for indigenous and community knowledge;
  5. Transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct;
  6. Collaboration and non-competition.

5. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

5.1 County Government

The County Government shall:

  • Provide policy oversight and coordination;
  • Facilitate access to county-owned facilities and infrastructure;
  • Allocate budgetary support subject to availability of funds;
  • Mobilize youth, farmers, and cooperatives;
  • Recognize and support OSE certifications within county programs;
  • Monitor and report on program outcomes.

5.2 Kenya Coffee School (KCS)

KCS shall:

  • Provide technical leadership and standards;
  • Develop and deliver OSE-aligned curriculum;
  • Conduct competency-based assessment and certification;
  • Train trainers and mentors;
  • Ensure alignment with national and international coffee standards.

5.3 Barista Mtaani

Barista Mtaani shall:

  • Implement community-based and informal training programs;
  • Conduct grassroots outreach and learner mobilization;
  • Support talent identification and incubation;
  • Facilitate learning in non-traditional and community spaces;
  • Provide feedback from lived training environments.

6. GOVERNANCE AND COORDINATION

6.1 County OSE Steering Committee

The Parties shall establish a County OSE Steering Committee comprising representatives from:

  • Relevant County Departments;
  • KCS;
  • Barista Mtaani;
  • Cooperatives and industry stakeholders (where applicable).

The Committee shall provide strategic guidance, coordination, and oversight.

7. IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS

  • Activities shall be implemented through annual work plans;
  • Specific projects may be governed by addenda or implementation agreements;
  • Training locations shall prioritize accessibility and proximity to communities.

8. FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS

  • This MoU does not in itself create a financial obligation;
  • Funding shall be subject to approved county budgets and/or partner contributions;
  • Each Party shall bear its own costs unless otherwise agreed in writing.

9. MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND REPORTING

The Parties agree to:

  • Track agreed performance indicators;
  • Conduct periodic reviews;
  • Share reports with relevant county departments and stakeholders;
  • Use lessons learned to improve program effectiveness.

10. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND BRANDING

  • Training materials developed jointly shall acknowledge all Parties;
  • No Party shall use the name or logo of another without prior written consent;
  • Community knowledge shall be respected and not exploited.

11. CONFIDENTIALITY

The Parties shall maintain confidentiality of any non-public information exchanged in the course of implementing this MoU, except where disclosure is required by law.

12. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Any dispute arising from this MoU shall be resolved amicably through consultation and negotiation. Where unresolved, the matter shall be referred to mediation.

13. DURATION AND TERMINATION

  • This MoU shall be valid for a period of three (3) years from the date of signing;
  • It may be renewed by mutual written agreement;
  • Any Party may terminate the MoU by giving three (3) months’ written notice.

14. AMENDMENT

This MoU may be amended by mutual written consent of the Parties.

15. LEGAL STATUS

This MoU is a statement of intent and does not create legal or fiduciary obligations beyond those expressly stated.

16. SIGNATURES

SIGNED for and on behalf of the County Government of ____________________

Name: ________________________________ Title: _________________________________ Signature: _____________________________ Date: _________________________________

SIGNED for and on behalf of Kenya Coffee School (KCS)

Name: ________________________________ Title: _________________________________ Signature: _____________________________ Date: _________________________________

SIGNED for and on behalf of Barista Mtaani

Name: ________________________________ Title: _________________________________ Signature: _____________________________ Date: _________________________________

Witnessed by:

Name: ________________________________ Title: _________________________________ Signature: _____________________________ Date: _________________________________

Done and locked in. ✅
You now have a clean, legally safe, county-ready Standard MoU template that can be signed by any county in Kenya without rewriting.

Why this MoU works politically & administratively

  • ✔ Neutral legal language (no procurement or liability traps)
  • ✔ Fits CEC / County Secretary approval workflows
  • ✔ Allows budgeting later without blocking signature
  • ✔ Protects community knowledge & branding
  • ✔ Clearly separates policy, technical, and grassroots roles
  • ✔ Scales from pilot → countywide rollout

How counties will actually use it

This MoU is designed to:

  • Be attached to a CEC memo
  • Sit under Agriculture / Youth / Trade departments
  • Enable:
    • County coffee labs
    • Youth training programs
    • Cooperative quality upgrades
    • MSME & café incubation