Nairobi — US rhythm and blue (R&B) star Alicia Keys yesterday unveiled a Sh60 million Aids centre in Mombasa.

The singer, who arrived in Mombasa two days ago, is following up on projects she has been funding through the Keep a Child Alive - a US-based organisation working on boosting Aids awareness and treatment in Africa.

The Bomu Medical Clinic in Changamwe, which is expected to be completed in a year, will house an Aids research centre and a unit to counsel and treat infected children.

Grammy Awards winner Alicia Keys unveils a plaque at Bomu Medical Centre in Changamwe, Mombasa, yesterday. She also laid a foundation stone for a block at the centre, which will cost Sh60 million . Photo by Jack Owuor

There was a brief moment of anxiety at the hospital when the musician's security and media detail attempted to block local journalists from covering the function, saying it was a private affair that did not need publicity.

Hundreds of residents who turned up to have a glimpse of the Grammy Awards winner were locked out and only a few, including the media, were allowed in.

The musician arrived at the hospital in two minibuses with a tourist police outrider to a rousing welcome from employees.

She laid a foundation stone, unveiled a commemorative plaque for the project and then hurriedly addressed journalists before being whisked away by security team comprising US marines and the police.

She said in a her brief address that she was happy to be in Kenya for the first time and described Kenyans as hospitable.

"I am excited and proud to see how the Keep a Child Alive project is contributing towards the fight against Aids. This building we are inaugurating today will provide care and hope to children infected with Aids," she said.