Sally Kimondo, a Kenyan-born leader, has made history by becoming the first Black Mayor of Dunstable in the United Kingdom. Her appointment was confirmed by the Dunstable Town Council on Monday, May 19.
The council described the moment as proud and historic, marking a new chapter for the town’s leadership. Her rise to the position has drawn praise from both locals and the wider Kenyan community abroad.
Kimondo has been called a visionary leader with a lot of experience in community service. Her political journey began in 2024 when she ran for the Dunstable East Councillor seat. She won the election with 372 votes, defeating three other candidates.
That victory was the first step in her leadership journey, and just a year later, she has now taken the town’s top civic seat. As Mayor, Kimondo will have many responsibilities. She will represent Dunstable in official events, help raise funds for local charities, and lead the town council meetings.
She will also ensure the council runs smoothly and support projects that benefit the community. She will be working alongside Richard Attwell, who has been named the Deputy Mayor. Attwell will assist her with her duties and help in representing the town when needed.
With Kimondo now serving as Mayor, her councillor seat will be declared vacant according to the laws in the United Kingdom.
This shows how serious and structured the UK’s leadership system is, with clear steps to ensure proper governance.Sally Kimondo was born in Kenya and is the daughter of the late Hon. Kiruhi, who once served as the Starehe Member of Parliament.
She moved to the United Kingdom when she was still young. Later on, she pursued her education and graduated with a degree in Social Work from the University of Bedfordshire. Her background in social work has shaped her approach to leadership, focusing on the needs of ordinary people and the challenges they face in daily life.
Outside of politics, Kimondo has also been active in community work. She founded the Luton, Dunstable & Surrounding Kenya Community Forum, a group that supports Kenyans living in the UK.
The forum has won several awards for its service and community outreach, showing Kimondo’s deep commitment to helping others.
Kimondo has promised to deal with real issues that affect residents. She mentioned high fuel prices, poor street lighting, potholes, and the lack of enough local services as some of her main concerns.
She plans to work hard to improve these areas and make Dunstable East a better place for everyone.Her election is a big moment not just for Dunstable, but also for Kenyans around the world.
It shows how far Kenyan women have come in leadership roles, even outside their home country. Kimondo’s success is a powerful message to others that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. Her story brings inspiration, especially to young girls and women who dream of leading one day.
