Tears and sorrow engulf Gilgil Stadium,Nakuru on Friday as families, friends, classmates, and community leaders gather for the requiem mass of the 16 students who perished in the tragic dormitory fire at Utumishi Girls senior school. The requiem mass comes just over two weeks after the May 28 incident that killed 16 students and injured 79 others.

Fifteen hearses were lined up at the Naivasha Funeral Home on Friday morning to transport the bodies to the memorial service, after which they will be released to their respective families for burial ceremonies.

Relatives struggled to process the devastating loss, while Officials from the Kenya Red Cross provided psychosocial assistance to bereaved families, survivors, and members of the public attending the memorial, ensuring support was available to those overwhelmed by grief.

Mourners wept openly as the 16 white caskets, each adorned with flowers and a portrait of the student it held, were carefully carried from hearses to a designated area prepared for the service under large tents. counsellors and emergency response teams moved through the crowd, offering comfort and support. One of the victims was buried on Sunday in Kwale County after her body was released early to the family, becoming the first among the 16 girls to be laid to rest.

Among those in attendance is First Lady Rachel Ruto, Education CS Julius Ogamba, Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika, Nakuru Senator Tabitha Keroche and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna. Other leaders  and religious leaders were also present.

Bereaved parents at the requiem mass for the 16 students who lost their lives in the tragic Utumishi Academy dormitory fire have called for justice while urging parents across the country to dedicate more time to raising and guiding their children.

The tragic blaze that took the lives of the students has sparked widespread concern and intensified demands for stronger fire safety regulations in schools to help avoid such disasters going forward.