Google celebrates Maruge’s first day in school with a doodle
Google on Monday changed its doodle to depict the late Kimani Maruge in class with young pupils in celebration of his first day in school.
Mr Maruge, Guinness record-holder for the oldest student, started school in January 12, 2004. Monday marked the 11th anniversary since he enrolled in school.
Mr Maruge enrolled as a standard one pupil in 2004 at Kapkenduiywa Primary school near Eldoret aged 84.
He made history as the world’s oldest first grader, mingling with pupils young enough to be his great grandchildren.
Mr Maruge said it was the introduction of free primary education that prompted him to enroll as a pupil.
In 2005, just a year after enrolling, he was elected the school’s head boy because he was viewed by many as a model student.
He relocated to Nairobi after the post-election violence and started living in an elderly home but his quest for education never died out as he enrolled as a standard six pupil at Marura Primary School in Kariobangi.
He died in 2009 due to complications of stomach cancer while living at the Cheshire Elderly Home in Nairobi.