A sombre mood engulfed Gilgil on Friday as bodies of 15 Utumishi Girls Secondary School students were released from the mortuary and transported to Gilgil Stadium ahead of a mass funeral service.
Families, relatives, school officials and community members gathered early at the facility to receive the remains, with grief and disbelief evident as they prepared to accompany the students on their final journey following the tragic incident that claimed their lives.
The bodies were moved under tight coordination by relevant authorities, marking a painful but important step for families who had been waiting for closure and the opportunity to lay their loved ones to rest with dignity.
At Gilgil Stadium, preparations had been completed for the mass funeral, with tents, seating and security arrangements set up to accommodate hundreds of mourners expected from across the country. The venue, usually used for sporting events, was turned into a place of mourning.
Parents and guardians were seen consoling one another as they arrived at the stadium, many struggling to come to terms with the loss. Some carried photographs and personal items of the deceased, while others leaned on relatives for emotional support.
School representatives from Utumishi Girls joined the families in mourning, describing the loss as a devastating blow to the institution and the wider education sector, noting that the students had been part of a vibrant learning community.
Local leaders and administrators visited the venue to offer condolences and urge unity, calling on the community to remain calm and support the bereaved families during this difficult period of grief and healing.
Religious leaders are expected to lead prayers during the mass funeral service, offering comfort and guidance as families prepare to bid farewell to the students whose lives were cut short.
As the caskets arrived at Gilgil Stadium, silence fell across sections of the crowd, broken only by prayers and sobs, marking one of the most emotional moments for families now beginning the long process of acceptance and healing.
