AIDS ACTIVIST DEPORTED AFTER MEETING YVONNE CHAKA CHAKA

Nine well connected AIDS activists were deported from Tanzania minutes after meeting up with South African singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka.
The nine were protesting on the decreasing funding for HIV at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Dar es Salaam.
"We met with Yvonne Chaka Chaka and gave her our memorandum to present to the leaders attending the WEF; shortly thereafter we were arrested," Bactrin Killingo of the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC), told IRIN/PlusNews on Friday. 

"We spent four or five hours at the police station making statements, after which we were escorted to our hotels to collect our belongings and then to the airport, where we were deported." None of the activists, who were from a variety of African countries, were charged. 

A planned national workers' union strike prompted Tanzanian President Jakaya Kiwete to cancel all demonstrations this week. "We had received permission to hold the demonstration [on May 5], but later received a letter cancelling it ... Only ten of us delivered the memorandum - it was not a demonstration," Killingo said.
Among those detained were: Paula Akugizibwe and Lynette Mabote from the AIDS 
and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa; James Kayo and Netsayi Dzinoreva from the ITPC; Linda Mafu and Soraya Matthews from the World AIDS Campaign; Sydney Hushie from the Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS; and Michael O’Connor from the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. 
Tanzanian government officials were not available for comment.

REGGAE LEGEND DON CARLOS FOR KENYA'S SAWA SAWA FESTIVAL

Jamaican legend known for his hit like Just a Passing Cloud will be headlining Kenya's festival dubbed Sawa Sawa.
Don Carlos will be among a host of other entertainers including Daddy Owen, Ousmane, Bafu Chafu and Prezzo at the fourth edition of the annual music festival. The festival, which will run from May 26-30, will comprise of three days of workshops and exchange programs with local and international talented artistes at Sarakasi Dome in Ngara followed by free diverse music extravaganza beginning Saturday 29 at Sarakasi Dome and Sunday 30 during the day at Kasarani Stadiums’ Laureates Gardens.

TRIBE IS CONDE' NAST TRAVELLER'S HOT LIST 2010

Kenya’s premier boutique hotel, Tribe, has been selected as one of the world’s top 100 hotels and features twice on the prestigious Condé Nast Traveller’s Hot Lists for 2010.
Condé Nast Traveller, a highly respected global magazine which specializes in covering the luxury travel market, voted Tribe as one of its ‘Hot’ hotels for both its United States and United Kingdom Hot List editions. The Hot List is compiled by Condé Nast Traveller after reviewing thousands of hotels world-wide, and a Kenyan hotel last featured on the Hot List seven years ago.
“Tribe is not even two years old, but we have already earned a reputation for re-setting the standards of hotel customer service and accommodation in Nairobi. We’re extremely proud of what we’ve managed to achieve in such a short space of time, but for us, this recognition is a spring-board for the continued development of Tribe, and the continued growth of tourism in Kenya,” said Hooman Ehsani, Director and Chief of Development.
The magazine cited, among other things, Tribe’s elegant interior design, saying “the hotel mixes contemporary city glamour with carefully placed African art and artefacts.” CN Traveller also singled out Tribe’s “superb” standards of service.

“From the very initial drawing board stage of design our benchmark has always been the global hospitality industry, and this accolade establishes Tribe as one of the top properties in the World, an achievement we are extremely proud of,” said Mehraz Ehsani, the hotel’s architect.

Set in the leafy suburb of Gigiri, Tribe is located at The Village Market, ten minutes from Nairobi city centre, and offers convenience, security and unparalleled shopping and entertainment options both for tourists and business people visiting the city. The hotel has quickly established itself as the destination for discerning travelers, hosting amongst others, luminaries from October’s MTV Africa Music Awards, including former Fugee, Wyclef Jean.

“A huge amount of work has gone into making Tribe the success it is today – right from the design stage through to the brilliant service that our staff provide day-in, day-out. It is immensely gratifying to see this work being recognized with Tribe being singled out as one of the world’s hottest hotels,” said Mark Somen, the General Manager.

In a congratulatory message from the Kenya Tourist Board, Jake Grieves Cook, Chairman of KTB said, “This prestigious list of the finest new hotels across the world features only the very best which successfully blend style, service, technology, and a special aura. Tribe is helping Kenya’s hotel industry to be ranked at the very top level in the world and is setting high standards for our other leading hotels to emulate. Well done in achieving this well-deserved recognition and best wishes in maintaining your world class ranking as one of the hottest properties!”

KIKO ROMEO TO WALK ITALY'S RUNWAY

Come Saturday May 22, Kenyan designer Kiko Romeo will be exhibiting at a couture show in Noto ,Sicily.
The show is dubbed Notte In Fiore and will feature other notable Sicilian designers: Loredana Roccasalva, Koscanyo and Gian Paul Zuccarello.
The event not only centres on fashion but art and culture as well.

KENYAN AFRO-POP CONCERT AT "ANNEXET" IN ELSINORE DENMARK

Saturday May 15: Mutinda will be performing at Annexet in Elsinore at 9 pm. His style of music has been described as ”afro-pop” and is a warm and intimate contemporary personally interpretation of Eastafrican culture. The concert is part of Mutinda's tour where he plays with a Danish-based band consisting of Tommy Flood on drums, Sara McKinly on bass, Kristian Haarløv on lead-guitar og Aye Solomon on percussions.

For more information: www.mutinda.com

HABIDA SPREADS HER SUNSHINE TO THE FOOTBALL PITCH

Sunshine lady Habida Moloney on Saturday took on a new role as the goodwill ambassador for a campaign that seeks to unite the youth through football.
Staged at the at the Langata High School, the first ever match of the Mugumoini Seven Aside tournament was attended by the staff members of InterContinental who are the sponsors, Habida’s fiancé Daniel Ebo and the singer herself.
“This has nothing to do with me being an artist. I just would like to be a part of something that makes a difference to our society. I help them in finding donations and or volunteer support,” Habida said of her role in the campaign.
The hotels Peer Educators took the opportunity to mingle and educate the youth on different social issues including the effects and prevention of HIV Aids during the two days. The hotel also donated the main Trophy for the winners of the tournament. was also at the event.

TUFACE AND MARY J BLIGE COLLABO

Watch out for this peoples. The song hasn't been titled as yet.