[PHOTOS] Families, leaders attend funeral service of 16 Utumishi Girls fire victims

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat follow proceedings during a requiem mass for the 16 Utumishi Girls Academy students at Gilgil Stadium, Nakuru county, on June 12 /HANDOUT

Families, friends, students, leaders and members of the public gathered at Gilgil Stadium on Friday for a requiem mass in honour of the 16 Utumishi Girls Academy students who died in a dormitory fire last month.

The emotional ceremony was marked by prayers, tributes and moments of silence as mourners paid their final respects to the girls whose lives were cut short in the May 28 tragedy.

First Lady Rachel Ruto, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, police officers and other leaders joined grieving families at the event.

The victims' white caskets, adorned with flowers and photographs, were displayed at the venue ahead of their release to families for burial.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna consoles a bereaved family during a funeral service of the 16 Utumishi Girls Academy students who died in a dormitory fire at Gilgil Stadium, Nakuru county, on June 12 /HANDOUT

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat follow proceedings during a funeral service of the 16 Utumishi Girls Academy students at Gilgil Stadium, Nakuru county, on June 12 /HANDOUT

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat follow proceedings during a funeral service of the 16 Utumishi Girls Academy students at Gilgil Stadium, Nakuru county, on June 12 /HANDOUT

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat follow proceedings during a funeral service for the 16 Utumishi Girls Academy students at Gilgil Stadium, Nakuru county, on June 12 /HANDOUT

Family members overcome by grief during a funeral service for the 16 Utumishi Girls Academy students who died in a dormitory fire at Gilgil Stadium, Nakuru county, on June 12 /HANDOUT

The 16 caskets of Utumishi Girls Academy students who died in a dormitory fire are displayed during a funeral service at Gilgil Stadium, Nakuru county, on June 12 /HANDOUT

The 16 caskets of Utumishi Girls Academy students who died in a dormitory fire are displayed during a funeral service at Gilgil Stadium, Nakuru county on June 12 /HANDOUT

Mourners at the funeral service for the 16 Utumishi Girls Academy students who died in a dormitory fire at Gilgil Stadium, Nakuru county, on June 12 /HANDOUT

First Lady Rachel Ruto pays her last respects to one of the 16 Utumishi Girls Academy students who died in a dormitory fire during a funeral service at Gilgil Stadium, Nakuru county, on June 12 /HANDOUT