Kenyan Refugee Defies Racist Abuse, Becomes First Northern Ireland's Black Mayor

On June 3rd, Lilian Seenoi-Barr will etch her name into the annals of history when she assumes the mayoral chain of office at Derry's guildhall, becoming the first black mayor in Northern Ireland.

This significant event signifies the peak of an extraordinary journey, both personal and political, that began in 2010 with her arrival in Northern Ireland as a refugee from Kenya. Since then, she has become a key component of the area's expanding multi-ethnic character. Seenoi-Barr's pioneering success has sparked immense pride in Northern Ireland and in her homeland of Kenya, where her Maasai heritage continues to have a profound impact. However, this milestone has also cast concerns about her safety in the face of threats from far-right extremists and conspiracy theorists, including the infamous Alex Jones.

Despite her noble intentions of serving the people of her city, Seenoi-Barr has found herself at the receiving end of death threats and racist abuse, fueled by the destructive notion that Ireland, both north and south, is being "invaded." In her own words, "People are absorbing populist information that is quite loud. It's kind of like every single problem that exists in the north of Ireland or across Ireland has been caused by immigrants." Seenoi-Barr's symbolic breakthrough at Derry and Strabane district council has coincided with a broader backlash against immigrants and refugees on both sides of the border, as well as a contentious dispute between London and Dublin over asylum seekers entering the republic via Northern Ireland.

Over the past year, police have recorded an alarming 1,353 racist incidents and 839 racist crimes, marking the highest figures since records started in 2004-05. Unfazed by these challenges, Seenoi-Barr stands firm in her resolve to head the council, having established a home, family, and friendships in the city that welcomed her. Aware that her rise has unsettled a vocal minority, she has embarked on a six-week self-defense course to strengthen her personal security and alleviate her Kenyan relatives' worries. Seenoi-Barr's path to this significant juncture is deeply connected with her work advocating for refugees and migrants.

In 2012, she founded the North West Migrants Forum, an organization that now boasts six staff members and 50 volunteers dedicated to amplifying the voices of the disenfranchised. Her political aspirations took root in 2015 when she joined the moderate nationalist Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), heeding the call of its leader, Colum Eastwood, to run for council in 2018. While her initial bid was unsuccessful, Seenoi-Barr persevered, securing a council seat in 2023 after being co-opted in 2021.

Her ascension to the mayoral office, however, has not been without its share of controversy, as two SDLP councilors resigned in protest, citing concerns over the undemocratic nature of the selection process – a claim the party has refuted while acknowledging communication lapses. As Seenoi-Barr prepares to welcome her Kenyan relatives to witness this historic ceremony, she remains steadfast in her vision for a united Ireland.

"I'm all for a united Ireland," she affirms, "but I do believe we need to unite our people first."

Born to a father who practised medicine and a mother who ran a business, Seenoi-Barr's upbringing instilled in her a deep appreciation for the "beautiful, vibrant" cultural traditions that defined her roots. However, her path diverged from certain aspects of her ancestral customs as she staunchly opposed the practices of early marriage and female genital mutilation, actively campaigning against these deeply entrenched norms.