As thousands gathered in Gilgil to honour the 16 Utumishi Girls victims, President William Ruto was nowhere in sight.

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NAIROBI, Kenya Jun 12 – President William Ruto was notably absent on Friday as the nation gathered in Gilgil, Nakuru County, to pay its final respects to the 16 students who died in the tragic Utumishi Girls Academy dormitory fire, with First Lady Rachel Ruto instead leading the national memorial service alongside senior government officials.

As hundreds of grieving families, students, teachers and members of the public filled Gilgil Stadium for the emotional ceremony, many had expected the Head of State to personally join the nation in mourning one of the country’s deadliest school tragedies in recent years.

Instead, President Ruto spent part of the day at State House, Nairobi, where he hosted grassroots leaders from Marsabit County, even as the memorial service for the young victims got underway.

📌 What You Need to Know

The First Lady arrived at the stadium accompanied by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika, religious leaders and other senior government officials.

A sombre mood engulfed the venue as 15 caskets carrying the bodies of the students were lined up before thousands of mourners.

One victim had already been buried in Kwale County after her body was released earlier to the family.

The President’s absence has sparked debate in some quarters, with critics questioning why he did not attend the memorial service despite the tragedy claiming the lives of 16 schoolgirls and deeply shocking the nation.

The issue has attracted even greater attention because presidents have traditionally attended national memorial services following major disasters and tragedies.

Questions have also been raised because President Ruto has not publicly met the affected families since the fire occurred in May, although the government has repeatedly expressed condolences and support.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya