312∕2 MS

GEOGRAPHY

Paper 2

MARKING SCHEME

March 2025

CRESCENDO ONE EXAMINATION – 2025

KENYA CERTIFICATE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION

GEOGRAPHY

Paper 2

MARKING SCHEME

(CONFIDENTIAL)

This marking scheme consists of 14 pages

©2025 crescendo one examinations 2025

Turn over

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 SECTION A
Answer all questions in this section

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1.(a) Define the term environment (2 marks)

 It is the external conditions that surround an organisms

(b) List three sub-branches of human geography. (3 marks)

 Agricultural geography
 Industrial geography
 Transport geography
 Historical geography
 Demography geography ∕population geography
 Pollution geography
 Cultural geography
 Political geography
 Social geography
 Settlement geography
 Economic geography
2.(a) What is wildlife? (2 marks)
 refers to undomesticated plants and animals existing in their natural habitat
(b) Identify three marine parks in Kenya (3 marks)
 Mombasa
 Malindi
 Mpunguti
 Diani
 Watamu
 Kisite
 Kiunga
3.(a) Name two counties in Kenya where wheat is grown in large scale. (2 marks)
 Uasin Gishu
 Nakuru
 Nyeri
 Narok
 Trans Nzoia
 Nyandarua
 Elgeyo marakwet
 Laikipia

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 (b) Give three reasons for using a combine harvester in wheat harvesting. (3 marks)
 It reduces labour requirements
 It reduces wastage
 Wheat harvested is free from dirt∕ high quality
 It saves time∕ it is fast
4.(a) Identify two beef cattle reared in Kenya (2 marks)
 Aberdeen Angus
 Galloway
 Short horn
 Hereford
 Charolais
(b) State three characteristics of nomadic pastoralism (3 marks)
 They keep large numbers of animals.
 There is uncontrolled breeding of animals.
 Many kinds of animals are kept e.g. cattle, sheep, goats and camels.
 They keep animals as a sign of wealth/prestige.
 Land in which animals are kept is communally owned.
 The animals are weakened by pests and diseases/have low value/unhealthy.
 The animals are moved seasonally in search for pasture and water.
 There is inefficient marketing system/walking for long distances to the
market.
 Animals are exposed to cattle rustling/frequent raids.
 Animals are reared for subsistence not for commercial purposes.
 They keep indigenous cattle which are hardy such as Zebu and Boran
5.(a) State two types of minerals (2 marks)
 Metallic minerals
 Non-metallic minerals
 Fossil fuels/mineral fuels/energy minerals
(b) State three uses of soda ash (3 marks)
 It is a raw material for making glass.
 It is used in making detergents/soaps.
 It is used in some chemical industries.
 It is used as a water softener.
 It is used in de-sulphurising steel.

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  It is used in paper industries.
 It is used in textile industry
SECTION B
Answer question 6 and any other two questions from this section.
6 (a) The table below shows mineral production in country Y in a thousand metric tonnes
between 2022 and 2024. Use it to answer the questions that follow.
Mineral/year 2022 2023 2024

Trona 50 52 56

Gold 58 60 62

Diamond 45 47 49
(i) What
is the difference in gold production between the year 2022 and 2024
62,000 – 58,000 = 4,000 tonnes
(1 mark)
(ii) Using a scale of 1cm to represent 10,000 metric tonnes, draw a compound
bar graph to present the information on the table (6 marks)

(iii) State two advantages of the method of data presentation above (2 marks)

 They are easy to draw/ construct.

 They allow comparison.
 They are easy to read/ interpret.
 They give clear visual impression.
 They can be used to show a wide range of data.

(b) Give three gold fields in south Africa (3 marks)

 Witwatersrand (the Rand)
 Ogendaalrus
 Lydenburg
 Klerksdorp
(c) (5 marks)
Describe how gold is extracted by shaft method
 Vertical shafts are sunk into the earth’s crust to reach the layer with the
mineral.
 Horizontal tunnels are then dug following the veins of the mineral ores.
 Timber pit props/ steel concrete beams are erected to hold up the roof of
the tunnel to prevent it from collapsing.

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  The mineral bearing rock (ore) is blasted loose by explosives.
 The mineral deposit is transported in the tunnel on light railway to the
bottom of the vertical shaft.
 It is then brought to the surface in a crane or a lift called a cage. The cage
is also used in transporting miners and their equipment.
 At the surface, mineral deposit in the rock cage is offloaded onto the trucks
and transported to the factory for processing.
(d) (8 marks)
Explain four benefits of Soda ash mining to the economy of Kenya
 Kenya earns foreign exchange from the exportation of soda ash.
 Soda ash is locally used/ consumed saving Kenya’s foreign currency.
 It creates employment opportunities improving the living standards of
Kenyans.
 It provides raw material for development of related industries like glass
making industry.
 It has led to development of social amenities like schools and hospitals
improving the living standards of Kenyans.
 It has led to the development of Magadi town which is centre for economic
development.
 It has led to development of transport and communication networks that ease
movement of goods.
 It earns revenue to the government through taxes.

 Soda ash is sold earning miners income

7.(a) (i) Define the term forestry. (2 marks)

 It is the act of developing and managing forests.

(ii) Identify three exotic soft wood trees grown in Kenya (3 marks)
 Pine
 Cypress
 Blue gum/ Eucalyptus
 Wattle
 Kei- apple
 Jacaranda
 Cedar

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  Gravilea
 Bombax
(b) Explain how the following factors that favour the growth of natural forests on the
slopes of Mount Kenya.
 Rainfall (2 marks)
 Areas receiving high rainfall well distributed throughout the year have
continuous growth of trees/ dense forests.
 Soil (2 marks)
 Deep, well drained soils support growth of trees.
 Mudflats soils along the shallow coastline lead to growth of mangrove
forests.
(c) Explain four measures that the government of Kenya is taking to conserve forest in (8 marks)
the country.
 Practicing afforestation i.e. the planting of trees in order to establish a forest
where none existed before.
 Practicing reafforestation i.e. the planting of trees in areas where forests have
been cleared e.g. Abardares, Ngong, Kabarnet, and Mt. Kenya.
 Enhancing community participation.
 Creation of forest reserves.
 Practicing agroforestry.
 The government recognizes/ registers NGOs e.g. green belt movement/ NEMA/
KFC/ KWS which encourages protection of threatened forests.
 Gazetting forest areas to reduce encroachment of the public.
 Creating public awareness on the need for forest conservation.
 Enacting/ enforcing laws to prohibit the cutting of trees without a licence/
protecting indigenous trees.
 The government has set aside national tree planting day.
 Employment of forest guards to protect the forests.
 Carrying out research through KEFRI inorder to develop suitable tree species
for different ecological regions.
(d) State the differences in the exploitation of softwood forests in Kenya and Canada
under the following headings: (2 marks)
(i) Period of harvesting
 In Kenya, harvesting of trees is done throughout the year while in Canada,

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 harvesting is done in winter and early spring.
(ii) Transportation of logs (2 marks)
 In Kenya, logs are transported by road/ trucks while in Canada, transport is
mainly by water/ by rivers.
 In Kenya, transportation is expensive while in Canada it is cheap.
(iii) Distribution of trees (2 marks)
 In Kenya, softwood forests are found mainly in the highlands while in
Canada they are found both in highland and lowland areas.
 In Kenya softwood forests cover a small percentage of the total land area
while in Canada they cover large tracts of land.
(iv) Marketing of forest products (2 marks)
 In Kenya, forest products are mainly sold locally whereas forest products in
Canada are mainly exported.
8.(a) (i) Name two species of coffee grown in Kenya. (2 marks)
 Arabica
 Robusta
 Ruiru 11
(ii) Explain how the following factors favour coffee growing in the central
Highlands of Kenya.
 High altitude; (2 marks)
 High altitude provides cool conditions which is ideal for the growth of coffee
 High population; (2 marks)
 High population provides large supply of labour especially during planting
and harvesting thus increasing production
(b) (i)Explain three ways in which government promotes coffee growing in Kenya. (6 marks)
 Carrying out research into new species of coffee and control of pests and
diseases.
 Construction of new roads and improvement of the existing ones to enhance
transportation of coffee.
 Providing extension workers through the ministry of agriculture to advice
farmers on the best farming methods.
 Advancing loans to farmers through K.P.C.U. to assist them improve on their
farming.
 It helps the farmers to market their produce through Coffee Board of Kenya.

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  It holds courses and has set demonstration farms to update farmers on new
farming methods.
(ii) Describe coffee cultivation from land preparation to harvesting (7 marks)
 Land is cleared off its vegetation.
 Land is ploughed using tractors.
 Coffee seeds are sown in a nursery.
 Shallow furrows are dug in the ploughed farm.
 Seedlings are transplanted into the furrows.
 Seedlings are sheltered from strong sunlight.
 Mulching is done.
 Weeding is done regularly.
 Fertilizers/manure are applied.
 Spraying is done to control pests/diseases.
 Plants are pruned regularly to control cropping and facilitate picking.
 Coffee berries are harvested by manual hand picking of red berries only
(c) Suppose you carried out a field study on coffee plantation;
(i) State three problems facing coffee farmers you are likely to observe during the (3 marks)
field study.
 Diseases like root rot, leaf rust which reduce the coffee yields leading to
losses to farmers.
 Pests like aphids, leaf miner which attacks coffee leaves causing them to fall
off reducing the yield leading to losses to farmers.
 Mismanagement of some co-operatives and embezzlement of funds by
leaders which has caused some co-operatives to close up.
 Exhaustion of soil due to monoculture as coffee uses a lot of nutrients from
the soil.
 Inadequate capital making the farmer unable to buy inputs such as fertilizers
and chemicals leading to low production.
 Unreliable rainfall and drought conditions which causes young berries to
ripen prematurely and fall off resulting to low yields hence loss to farmers.
 Competition from other crops which have caused farmers to abandon coffee
due to low prices.
 Delayed payments to farmers which has lowered their morale.
 Impassable roads during rainy season delays delivery of coffee berries to the

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 factory reducing their quality leading to losses to farmers.
 Fluctuation of coffee prices in the world market making farmers unable to
plan ahead.
 High cost of farm inputs lowers coffee production reducing profit margin.
 Shortage of labour supply during harvesting season increasing the cost of
production hence low profit margins.
(ii) Give three methods you would use to collect data other than observation. (3 marks)
 Interviewing
 Administering questionnaires
 Sampling
 Photographing/video recording/filming
 Reading secondary sources/content analysis

9.(a) Apart from irrigation, give three methods of land reclamation in Kenya. (3 marks)
 Draining of swamps in flood prone areas.
 Control of pests
 Filling open pits/ landscaping
 Planting trees/ afforestation
 Filling open quarries with water to practice aquaculture.
 Flood control
 Controlling soil erosion
 Use of manure/ fertilizers.
 Introducing drought resistant crops.
 Draining a portion of the lake to provide land for farming.
(b) State four physical factors which influenced the location of Mwea irrigation (4 marks)
 Presence of permanent rivers Nyamindi, Thiba and Murubara which
provide water for irrigation throughout the year.
 Presence of black cotton/ clay soils which is suitable for rice cultivation
 The area is gently sloping which allows mechanization and flow of water
by gravity.
 Availability of extensive land which enables expansion of growth of rice.
 Hot climate conditions suitable for growth of rice.
 Presence of loamy soils ensured cultivation of other crops to support the
families settled.

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(c) (i) Name three crops grown in the polders in Netherlands. (3 marks)
 Rye
 Wheat
 Vegetables
 Fruits
 Barley
 Potatoes
 Oats
 Beetroots
 Flowers
(7 marks)
(ii) Describe the stages of reclamation of land from the sea in the Netherlands.
 Protective dykes/ sea walls are constructed to enclose the part of the sea
which is to be reclaimed.
 Ring canals are constructed on the interior sides of the dykes to carry away
excess water.
 Pumping stations are installed to pump water from enclosed area.
 Water is pumped out of the area enclosed by the dyke.
 Reeds are planted to drain excess water and use up the excess salt.
 Drainage ditches and more pumping stations are put on the land being
reclaimed.
 Drainage pipes are laid below the soil.
 Inner dykes and ring canals are used to divide area into regular portions.
 Soils are treated with chemicals to lower salinity.
 The drained land is flushed with fresh water to remove salt from the soil.
 Water is pumped from the polders regularly to avoid its accumulation in the
reclaimed land.
(d) Explain four benefits of land reclamation in the Netherlands (8 marks)
 Reclamation has created more land for agriculture hence increasing food
production.
 Reclaimed land has improved agricultural output
 Land reclamation has resulted in improved fresh water supply for
domestic/ industrial use.
 Construction of dykes around the polder has helped to control floods/ sea

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 invasion.
 Construction of dykes/ canals has improved transport network thus easing
the movement of people and goods.
 Reclamation has created sceneries for tourists’ attractions thereby earning
the country foreign exchange.
 Reclamation and associated activities have created job opportunities
thereby raising living standards.
10.(a) Name two types of inland fresh water fisheries in East Africa. (2 marks)
 Fresh water lakes
 Reservoirs
 Rivers
 Fish ponds
 Swamps

(b)
The map below shows some major fishing grounds of the world. Use it to answer
questions 9(b) (i) and (ii)

(i)

Identify the shaded fishing grounds marked F and G. (2marks)

 F – North East Atlantic fishing ground
 G – North West Pacific fishing ground
(6 marks)
(ii) Explain three physical conditions that favor fishing in the ground marked G.
 Highly indented coastline/ numerous islands provides suitable breeding
grounds for fish/ suitable sites for the fish ports/ villages.
 Convergence of cold Oyashio and warm Kuroshio currents provide cool
waters/ ice free suitable for fish/ upwelling of water which brings minerals/

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 fish food close to the surface/ well oxygenated waters.
 Shallow broad/ wide continental shelf which provide favourable conditions
for growth of planktons/ contain large quantities of fish (for commercial
investment/ exploitation).
 The ruggedness/ mountainous landscape limits agricultural development
therefore people practice fishing as an alternative source of food/ earning.
 Cool waters favours the survival of numerous fish species
(c) (2 marks)
(i) Name two fishing methods used in small scale fishing in Kenya.
 Harpooning/ use of spears.
 Use of gill nets.
 Use of herbs.
 Use of barrier traps.
 Use of baskets.
 Use of hand lines/ hook and line.
 Use of lamp and net/ lampara

(5 marks)
(ii) Describe how the trawling method is used in fishing.
 A bag shaped net is attached to a trawler/ ship.
 The net is cast into water by the trawler.
 The net’s mouth is kept open by otter boards/ head beams.
 The upper part of the net is kept afloat by corks/ floats.
 Weights are used to keep the lower parts of the net at the sea bed.
 Trawler drags the net along the sea bed.
 After sufficient fish has been caught, the net is hauled into the trawler to
empty the fish. This method is Trawling.

(d) Explain four ways in which fresh water fisheries are conserved in Kenya. (8 marks)
 Restricting the disposal of untreated wastes into the fisheries/ enforcing anti-
pollution laws to ensure that water remain clean for survival of fish.
 Restricting fishing to specific seasons to allow for breeding/ maturing of
fish.
 Breeding fingerlings to restock overfished areas.
 Standardizing the mesh/ net hole size of nets used in fishing to ensure that
only the mature fish are caught.

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 Limiting the number of fishermen through issuance of licenses.
 Fish farming is being encouraged to ensure that there is sufficient supply of
fish from other sources other than the natural fisheries.
 Carrying out research to improve the quantity of fish.
 Setting up institutions to train personnel to manage fisheries.
 Enforcing the international conventions to protect the endangered species.
 Setting up special hatcheries for artificial fertilization of eggs to be used in
restoring overfished areas.
 Monitoring/ discouraging the entry of foreign fishermen off the Indian
Ocean waters

THE END

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