Kenyan's Rise From Maasai Activist To Making History In UK

Back in 2019, Barr lost the elections. However, the SDLP co-opted her onto the council in 2021 before selecting her to vie for the seat.

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Jun 4, 2023 - 19:15
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Kenyan's Rise From Maasai Activist To Making History In UK
A collage image of Lilian Seenoi and Narok County Senator Ledama Olekina (Left) and a portrait by Lilian Seenoi. /LEDAMA OLEKINA.RTE

A valuable piece of advice that we like to use quite often; Keep doing what you do best and do it well every day because someone, somewhere, is watching.

Kenyans have continued to put the country onto the global scene through ascension to top positions, with some of the world's most influential countries having elected leaders with Kenyan roots into office, a number that is increasing with every passing period.

Kenyans including Narok County Senator Ledama Olekina on Saturday, May 20 took to social media to celebrate Lilian Seenoi Barr, a Kenyan who became the first-ever black person to be elected into public service in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom (UK).

Seenoi, who was active in politics in the UK for two years, was appointed a councillor in Northern Ireland. An Irish publication, RTE, revealed that Barr won the May 20 elections with 15.5 per cent of the total votes cast, to represent Derry and Strabane City Council.

Northern Ireland Councillor Lilian Seenoi (Centre) and colleagues on Saturday, May 20, 2023. /LILIAN SEENOI

Vying under the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), Councillor Barr expressed her heartfelt gratitude upon being elected by the people.

“I'm beyond delighted to have gained nearly 1,000 first preferences and to now have an electoral mandate in my own right.

"When I joined Derry City and Strabane District Council just under two years ago, I had been chosen by the SDLP members. At the time, I made a commitment that I would work tirelessly to earn people's trust and deliver for the local area,” said Barr at the time.

Back in 2019, Barr lost the elections. However, the SDLP co-opted her onto the council in 2021 before selecting her to vie for the seat.

She began as a human rights activist in Kenya before moving to the UK more than 10 years ago and as the Director of Programmes at the North West Migrants Forum, she 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.

“Congratulations to my baby sister, 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,” Senator Olekina stated on Saturday, May 20.

Barr’s election as a member of the Social Democratic and Labour Party came after she arrived in Northern Ireland as an asylum seeker in 2010. She is a prominent Black Lives Matter campaigner and a refugee activist from the Maasai community.

“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 went on.

Barr had further noted that her aim was to make a lasting difference in the lives of local people, expressing her commitment to fulfilling the promises she made during the campaign and addressing the needs and concerns of her 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," she celebrated.

After her arrival in Northern Ireland, she saw the hurdles that immigrants and minority groups met and 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 stemmed 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.

Seenoi's election in Derry City puts her in the esteemed company of leaders with Kenyan roots who have made a mark across the world and they include Former President Barack Obama in the US, Senator Lucy Gichuhi in Australia, First Minister Humza Yousaf in Scotland and Rishi Sunak at Number 10 Downing Street.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak looking at his phone. /FILE

Sunak was born on May 12, 1980, to African-born Hindu parents of Punjabi-Indian descent. His father, Yashvir Sunak was born and raised in Kenya during the colonial era while his mother was born in Tanzania.

At the age of 42, he became the first Hindu, the first person of colour to be Britain's Prime Minister in October 2022 and the youngest person to take office in more than 200 years.

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