Meet Lilian Seenoi-Barr, the former Kenyan refugee who just made history as the first black mayor of Northern Ireland

Lilian Seenoi-Barr made history this week when she became the first black mayor of Northern Ireland. She was appointed Mayor of Derry City and Strabane at a special council meeting on Monday evening.

Ms Seenoi-Barr, who arrived there 14 years ago as a refugee from Kenya, said it was an honor to change into its first citizen. Once installed, Seenoi-Top addressed the council chamber, thanking everyone who traveled from Kenya for “a historic moment for Derry”, confirming that their presence “signifies unity and shared pride between our communities”, According to BBC News.

“Many of you know that I am deeply proud of my Maasai heritage, rich in culture and tradition,” he said Seenoi-Top. “Growing up as one of 14 siblings in a Maasai village, I was raised in a home full of love, unity, hard work and a commitment to justice and freedom – values ​​that I carry forward in my service.”

“But my story of being a Maasai and a Derry girl began in 2010, when I came to this city in search of safety and a better life,” she added Seenoi-Top. “If you had told me then that I can be sitting here today as the mayor of the second city in the north, I do not think I or anyone in my family would have believed it… Since I arrived, Derry has embraced me, it has truly given me family, community and now the honor of serving first citizen”.

The 42-year-old is not any stranger to breaking barriers – just last 12 months she made headlines for the extraordinary achievement of becoming the first black woman to be elected to “public office in Northern Ireland” as a councilor.

However, not everyone was completely happy with this development and unfortunately since the mayor’s announcement, Seenoi-Barr admitted that she had been subjected to “racist abuse and death threats.” However, she said that while the threats were hurtful, she also had tremendous support across the island from community organizations and politicians who showed solidarity,” RTE, Irish national public media reports.

“Of course, in recent weeks, some have viewed this historic moment as a threat, and it is no secret that it has sparked anti-immigrant sentiment,” he countered. Seenoi-Top. “It reminded us of the issues we face as a community, but I know these feelings have no place in Derry and have not been reflected among the majority of people in our city and borough.”

“Instead, since my appointment, I even have witnessed the warmth and kindness of Derry, which I do know and love with all my heart. The Ireland I do know and the Derry where I even have made my house is a friendly and generous place where everyone, regardless of background, can thrive,” he said. Seenoi-Top. “My nomination is a celebration of difference, of a changing Northern Ireland where the binaries of the past are breaking down. We are not any longer just green and orange, we’ve got a likelihood to make recent decisions and construct a brand new, united community.

“I won’t hold back from working as hard as I can for my entire community. I can be a mayor for everybody, accessible and leading with hope… The significance of this moment is just not lost on me. This role is a possibility of a lifetime and I’ll approach it with the utmost seriousness and commitment,” he added mayor he stated.

During her tenure as MayorSeenoi-Barr said it could work to eradicate “poverty, attract investment and support young people to reach their full potential, create jobs and promote high-quality, affordable housing.”