Lilian Seenoi-Barr: Kenyan woman set to make history as UK mayor

A Kenyan woman is set to make history as the first Black mayor in the United Kingdom’s Northern Ireland.

Lilian Seenoi-Barr was selected by the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) to become the next mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council.

Seenoi-Barr is from Mau Narok in Nakuru County and is a sister to Narok Senator Ledama Olekina.

But while her selection has been criticised by some party members as undemocratic, she has defended it as being open.

"I put my name forward, there was an open process and I was selected after a very robust interview that all three candidates went through," she told the BBC on Monday.

"The process was open for everyone and they can ask management those questions if they have any reservations but I want to focus on the position."

She said that she would be “a mayor for everyone and represent every single voice.”

SDLP councillor Jason Barr has since resigned from the party after a row over Seenoi-Barr’s selection.

Following her election, Senator Olekina posted a congratulatory message on social media, telling her younger sister: “May the good lord open many doors for you as you lead your people of Derry, UK.”

Seenoi-Barr has previously made history after being elected councillor of the Foyleside area of Derry and Strabane Council in Northern Ireland in May last year.

She describes herself as a community development practitioner and social justice advocate.

Seenoi-Barr is the founder of the North West Migrants Forum, which supports, advises and cares for Black and ethnic minority groups living in the North-west region of Northern Ireland.

According to her professional profile, she is an alumnus of the University of Ulster and has also been involved with Maasai women’s and girls’ rights causes back home in Kenya by rescuing young girls from early forced marriage and female genital mutilation.