The 42-year-old, a native of Kenya, was chosen by her party, the SDLP, and verified as the first citizen of the Strabane District Council and Derry City on Monday night.

Ms. Seenoi-Barr identified as a Maasai lady and a Derry girl. She made history last year when she was elected as the first black person to hold public office in Northern Ireland.

She claimed that since the announcement of her nomination, she has received death threats and racial comments.

Despite the unpleasant nature of the threats, she acknowledged that she has received tremendous support from politicians and community organisations around the island.


Darren Guy, a councillor for the Ulster Unionist Party, received a deputy mayor nomination.

There was more history at two other councils in the area.

Following his installation, Micky Murray, the newly elected Lord Mayor of Belfast, declared himself to be the first publicly homosexual mayor of the capital of Northern Ireland. Meanwhile, Pete Byrne was the first openly LGBT+ chair of the Newry, Mourne, and Down Council.