Lilian Seenoi-Barr, a human rights activist who practised in Kenya before moving to the UK more than a decade ago, made history on May 20 when she become the first Black person to be elected into public office in Northern Ireland.
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History made as Lilian Seenoi-Barr gets elected in Northern Ireland
Kenya continues to shine in the community of nations as its industrious people lead by example. Some of the globe’s most influential countries have elected leaders with Kenyan roots into office in the recent past.
After Rishi Sunak’s election as UK Prime Minister last year, a Kenyan woman from Narok County has now become the first Black person to be elected into public office in Northern Ireland.
Lilian Seenoi-Barr, a human rights activist who practised in Kenya before moving to the UK more than a decade ago, made history on May 20 when she won the Foyleside ward seat by a landslide.
The Director of Programmes at the North West Migrants Forum had campaigned tirelessly, knocking on countless doors across the Foyleside District Electoral Area.
Her efforts were repaid with 960 first preference votes – one of the highest counts of all candidates in the hotly contested DEA. Barr said she was honoured to represent the people of Foyleside and indeed the wider city and district.
“As the first black councillor to be elected in Northern Ireland, this is a historic moment and I am immensely grateful to the people of Foyleside for placing their trust in me.”
Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina heaped praise on Lilian, whose achievements, he said, would inspire many black women across the world. “Congratulations to my baby sister Lilian Seenoi Barr, the first ever black person to be elected as a councillor in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. May the Good Lord open many doors for you,” he tweeted.
Lilian Seenoi-Barr made history on May 20 when she won the Foyleside ward seat by a landslide.
Barr’s election as a member of the Social Democratic and Labour Party comes 13 years after she arrived in Northern Ireland as an asylum seeker. “This victory is not just mine but a testament to the power of diversity and representation in our community. I hope that my election serves as an inspiration for individuals from all backgrounds to step forward and serve their communities. I firmly believe that anyone, regardless of their background, can make a difference and serve their community.”
She said her aim was to make a lasting difference in the lives of local people. “I am committed to fulfilling the promises I made during the campaign and addressing the needs and concerns of my constituents. I love this city and over the past 13 years, I have made Derry my home. It’s emotional to know that this city in turn has truly adopted me and its people have trusted me to represent them. Today I truly am a Derry girl.”
Barr’s steadfastness in the face of challenges saw her transition from life in the tropical country of her birth to being a notable person in a foreign land.
Immigrants' challenges
After her arrival in Northern Ireland, she saw the hurdles that immigrants and minority groups met. She began to vigorously participate in social work, helping them to find their footing in the new environment.
In 2012, she joined the North West Migrants Forum, an organisation that fights racial inequality and prejudice. Barr’s passion for helping the less fortunate stems from her roots in Kenya. As a young girl growing up in Oloombokishi in Narok County, she became acutely aware of the social challenges encountered by the Maasai girl, including cultural practices requiring girls to undergo female genital mutilation (FGM), early marriage (often to older, polygamous older men), teenage pregnancies and loss of opportunities for education.
These grave matters troubled her young mind as she attended St Peter’s Primary School and later Ole Tipis Girls’ Secondary School. She became an anti-FGM advocate, encouraging girls to pursue their education, which she promised would open doors to a brighter future as opposed to being forced into early marriage.
A former schoolmate at Ole Tipis, Nkini Karia, remembers Lilian as a disciplined student who took her studies seriously. “A social girl, she looked more mature than her age even back then,” she told The Weekly Review.
Her election in Derry City puts Lilian in good company with other leaders with Kenyan roots who have made a mark across the world, President Barack Obama in the US, Senator Lucy Gichuhi in Australia, Rishi Sunak at Number 10 Downing Street and First Minister Humza Yousaf in Scotland.
