Calm, sorrow, and curiosity filled Gilgil Stadium as members of the clergy from the African Inland Church, families, mourners, and dignitaries streamed in.

The pitch was set up with five large tents of different sizes, four of which surrounded the middle white one, with plastic interlock (cabro) molds and draped in black, red, and green voile and chiffon drapes, which was expected to provide shade for the bodies of the 15 girls from Utumishi Girls Academy.

Caskets of the 16 students are arranged under a tent during the requiem mass on June 12 at Gilgil Stadium

Photo credit: LELETI JASSOR/ MTAA WANGU

At exactly 10:17 a.m., as everyone patiently waited, their bodies arrived in hearses with their posters plastered on each of the windscreen and the emergency doors, led by a police convoy.

One by one, the hearses arrived at the center stage in groups of three as families stepped forward to receive their loved ones with their portraits clenched tightly against their chests. Some mourners, both young and old, were overwhelmed by grief, with a number crying inconsolably, their wails piercing the air as others struggled to catch their breath through choking sobs and called out the names of their only children, sisters and cousins.

A grieving mother embraces a casket draped with a portrait of one of the deceased students during the reception of her daughter's body at the Gilgil Stadium ahead of the requiem mass for the 16 students on June 12.

Photo credit: LELETI JASSOR/ MTAA WANGU

The white caskets, placed in fours, including Zuhura Rama’s smiling portrait, were placed with their heads facing the family tent on the far right, adorned with long-stemmed roses and vibrant blooms of white, red, magenta, yellow, light pink, orange roses, and a touch of Baby’s breath flowers. Later, a smiling portrait of Faith Irene (a parent who lost her life while going to pick up her daughter) was also added in the tent.

Sheryl Ondari's father, Dennis Nyakeri, is consoled by family members as emotions run high during the reception of her daughter's body at the Gilgil Stadium ahead of the requiem mass for the 16 students on June 12.

Photo credit: LELETI JASSOR/ MTAA WANGU

The service began with prayers led by a pastor and an imam, followed by a heartfelt Swahili poem ‘Ni uchungu’, in honor of the 16 lives lost last month, recited by an Utumishi student.

The school's choir then performed Ni Salama Rohoni, led by a student with a soothing voice. As the hymn filled the stadium, some students were overcome with emotion, while Kenya Red Cross personnel remained on standby to offer support and comfort.

A mother is overcome with grief during the reception of her daughter's body at the Gilgil Stadium ahead of the requiem mass for the 16 students on June 12

Photo credit: LELETI JASSOR/ MTAA WANGU

The sermon led by Rt. Reverend John Kevuva began with scripture readings from Psalms 13:1-6 and John 10:7-10, passages that spoke of grief, hope, and the promise of life amid tragedy.

During the service, a multitude of people filled the stadium’s pavilion as others stood on the peripheries of the tents to mourn the gallant soldiers.

Abigael Wanjiku, the school captain, mourned her fellow students as having lost sisters, friends, study mates who shared laughter and hopes for the future.

Abigael Wanjiku, Utumishi Girls Academy School Captain during the requiem mass for the 16 students on June 12

“We will carry the pain of losing our classmates for a lifetime as they shared moments in the school before the tragic incident that claimed their lives,” eulogized a grief-stricken Wanjiku.

Her tribute was followed by Grace Waceke, a grieving parent, who noted the tragedy as having snatched their daughters who left for school to secure their futures, advising students across the country against burning schools as a way of airing their frustrations.

Cynthia Wanja, an Utumishi Girls Student, recited a heartfelt Swahili poem ‘*Ni uchungu’*, in honor of the 16 lives lost last month during the requiem mass on June 12 at Gilgil Stadium.

Photo credit: LELETI JASSOR/ MTAA WANGU

“I call on parents to create time for their children and not only focus on looking for money, ending up forgetting their parental responsibilities,” said Waceke through choking sobs, who additionally called for justice and accountability.

Their eulogies were followed by speeches from members of the Utumishi fraternity, national and county leaders, and closed with individual prayers of the 16 girls by members of the clergy followed by general prayers.

A grief-stricken Edwin Sifuna, Senator Nairobi, sits in silence during the requiem mass for the victims of the Utumishi Girls Academy fire tragedy held at Gilgil Stadium on June 12.

Photo credit: LELETI JASSOR/ MTAA WANGU

The 16 students who lost their lives were Linah Juliet, Fortune Aimaya, Neema Wairimu, Mercy Precious Wangechi, Purity Naisula, Precious Wanjeri, Jullie Veronicah, Sallaystine Wambu, Jane Kimani, Getrude Muthoni, Cecilia Wanjiku, Nicole Mitchelle, Abigael Chepngeno, Imani Toroitich Boit, Sheryl Onderi and Zuhura Rama.

Portraits of the 16 students who lost their lives in the fire tragedy at Utumishi Girls Academy. A requiem mass was held on June 12 at Gilgil Stadium.

Photo credit: LELETI JASSOR / MTAA WANGU

After the service, NYS officers lined up in front of the tent accommodating members of the public who came to mourn, to put a barricade between them and the families, as one by one the coffins, carried by members of the Kenya Red Cross in the company of police, were loaded with their remains to be ferried to their places of interment.

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Families and students unite in emotional farewell to Utumishi Girls fire victims

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Leleti Jassor