Lilian Seenoi-Barr: Kenyan woman elected councillor in the UK

A Kenyan woman has made history after being elected councillor in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.

Lilian Seenoi-Barr, who is from Mau Narok in Nakuru County, was voted to represent the Foyleside area of Derry and Strabane Council in Northern Ireland.

Terming the win as humbling, Ms Barr took to social media to thank Foyleside residents on Saturday, writing, “I’m beyond delighted to have gained nearly 1,000 first preference votes and to now have an electoral mandate in my own right.”

“The people have spoken loud and clear. For the most part, they are rewarding hard work. But it’s also clear to see their frustration at the continuing lack of a functioning Assembly and obstruction of a nationalist first minister,” she added.

The councillor, who describes herself as a community development practitioner and social justice advocate, was elected under the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP).

“I am proud to be part of the Derry SDLP team that puts people first. I look forward to continuing working hard for the people of Derry,” she said.

Barr lives in Londonderry and 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.