Kenya’s Oldest Student Dies at 90
Kenya’s oldest student, a great-grandfather, passed away at 90. Kimani Nganga Maruge made the Guinness Book of World Records for being the oldest person to start primary school at 84, the BBC reports. Maruge had two years left before he finished. He didn’t have the chance to go to school when he was younger and wanted to learn how to read the Bible and study math, so he enrolled in Kapkenduywa primary school in 2004, shortly after the government brought in free schooling. He visited the United States in 2005 to advocate for education for the poor. When his home was burned down last year after the nation’s post-election violence, he had to move to a home for elderly people. He remained committed to his education, though, even asking that teachers come to his home to teach him after he was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, according an official from the home. “He was a very courageous man. Even if you don’t see it through to the end, you will still have achieved something,” said Mumbi Kamuri, who leads the Cheshire Homes in Kenya where Maruge lived for the past year.
 

Nigerian Police Round Up Thousands During Raid on Islamic Camp
Police in Nigeria rounded up held almost 4,000 members of the Islamic sect, Darul Islam, “based on a fear of them becoming violent,” a police official told CNN. On Saturday, 3,950 members were “evacuated” from their camp in Mokawa and were being held in a school building. No word yet on whether or not charges will be brought against the group.  The Darul Islam community was formed with people who wanted to follow strict Islamic principles, the news service reports.

TAGS: Darul Islam, Kapkenduywa, Kenya, Kimani Nganga Maruge, nigeria

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