In 2005 Maruge got the chance to fly to New York to speak to the UN about the importance of primary education. Having endured the loss of his property in 2008 post election violence and a subsequent stint in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp (while continuing to attend school), in June 2008 Maruge was moved to Nairobi to a retirement home. Undeterred he 'reported' to a new school in Kariobangi. What a character. Sadly Maruge died in 2009 of stomach cancer.