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Kimani Nganga Maruge held the Guiness World Record for being the oldest person to start primary school, at the age of 84. He died in Nairobi.
In 2004, he enrolled in Eldoret at Kapkenduywa primary school, the same school as his 2 grandchildren, after the Kenyan government introduced free primary schooling. He was made a prefect due to his good attendance. His previous house in Rift Valley was burnt due to post-election violence last year. He was moved to an old people's house in the capital. Despite this disruption, Mr Maruge continued to study hard for his last 2 years in primary school.
Mumbi Kamuri, head of Cheshire Homes in Kenya where Mr Maruge spent his last moments, told BBC that he was dedicated to his studies right to the end. He asked the teachers to teach him at home, even after he was diagnosed with cancer in February. He was a courageous man, an inspirational figure who brought new meaning to the phrase, " It's never too late".
