KCSE Geography Paper 2 (312/2) Questions and Answers

Updated 12 November 2026. These KCSE Geography Paper 2 questions and answers are original practice questions in the 312/2 format, covering human and economic geography, a statistics Question 6 drill and Section B essay items, each with worked answers. Geography Paper 2 for 2026 is on Wednesday 18 November, 8.00 to 10.45 am, according to the KNEC 2026 KCSE Examination Timetable. They are written and checked by our team; they are not KNEC papers or a KNEC marking scheme.

How Geography Paper 2 (312/2) Is Organised

Paper 2 is human and economic geography. It is 2 hours 45 minutes long and marked out of 100. Section A has five short compulsory questions worth 25 marks. In Section B, question 6 is compulsory and is usually built on statistical methods (a table to turn into a graph) or a photograph to interpret; you then choose two of questions 7 to 10. Each Section B question carries 25 marks. The same KNEC timetable gives large-print candidates the same 2 hours 45 minutes and braille candidates 3 hours 15 minutes (8.00 to 11.15 am).

Map work on a topographical map belongs to Paper 1, so do not spend your last weekend on grid references. Spend it on the economic topics below and on drawing graphs quickly and neatly.

KCSE Geography Paper 2 Questions and Answers (Section A Style)

1. State three physical conditions that favour tea growing in the Kenya highlands. (3 marks)

Answer: High rainfall that is well distributed throughout the year; cool to warm temperatures; deep, well-drained, slightly acidic volcanic soils; gently sloping land that allows drainage without heavy soil erosion; high altitude, which gives the cool, misty conditions the bush needs. Any three.

2. (a) What is land reclamation? (2 marks) (b) Give two methods used to reclaim swamps in Kenya. (2 marks)

Answer: (a) Land reclamation is turning land that cannot be used, such as swamps, deserts or land under the sea, into land that can be used for farming, settlement or industry. (b) Digging drainage canals to carry away excess water; planting trees such as eucalyptus that take up a lot of water; pumping out water; building dykes to keep water out. Any two.

3. Name three hydro-electric power stations on the Seven Forks scheme of the River Tana. (3 marks)

Answer: Any three of Masinga, Kamburu, Gitaru, Kindaruma and Kiambere. KenGen lists these among its large hydro stations and describes Masinga Dam, with a capacity of about 1.56 billion cubic metres, as the main reservoir that regulates water for the cascade, on the KenGen hydro power stations page.

4. State three problems facing fishing on Lake Victoria. (3 marks)

Answer: Overfishing, including the use of nets with very small holes; the water hyacinth, which blocks landing beaches and boats; pollution from towns, farms and factories; inadequate cold storage, so fish go bad before they reach the market; disputes over fishing grounds near the shared borders. Any three.

5. Give four factors that influence the distribution of population in Kenya. (4 marks)

Answer: Rainfall reliability; soil fertility; relief and altitude; the presence of economic activities such as towns, industries and mining; historical factors such as settlement schemes; the presence of pests and diseases such as tsetse flies; government policy. Any four.

Question 6 Drill: Statistics You Can Practise Tonight

The table below is original data for an imaginary farmers’ cooperative, given in tonnes of produce delivered in one year.

6. (a) Using a rectangle 15 cm long, draw a divided rectangle to represent the data. Show your calculations. (b) Work out the percentage share of maize. (c) Give two advantages of using a divided rectangle.

Worked answer: (a) Each part = (value ÷ total) × 15 cm. Tea 150 ÷ 500 × 15 = 4.5 cm; coffee 90 ÷ 500 × 15 = 2.7 cm; maize 210 ÷ 500 × 15 = 6.3 cm; beans 50 ÷ 500 × 15 = 1.5 cm. Check: 4.5 + 2.7 + 6.3 + 1.5 = 15 cm. Arrange the parts from the largest to the smallest, shade each differently, and add a key and a title. Marks go for the calculations, the correct lengths, the key and the title. (b) 210 ÷ 500 × 100 = 42%. (c) It is easy to draw; it gives a clear visual impression of each part of the total; parts are easy to compare. Any two.

If the same data comes as a pie chart, each item is (value ÷ total) × 360°: tea 108°, coffee 64.8°, maize 151.2° and beans 36°, which add up to 360°. A common disadvantage to quote for both methods is that very small values are hard to show accurately.

For a photograph instead, first name the type (a ground general view, a ground close-up or an aerial view), then draw the frame to the size given, sketch only the main features and label them. Read the evidence from the picture, not from memory.

Section B Practice (25-Mark Style)

7. (a) Explain four factors that have favoured the development of tourism in Kenya. (8 marks) (b) State four problems facing the tourism industry in Kenya. (4 marks)

Marking points: (a) Varied wildlife in national parks and reserves attracts visitors; warm sunny beaches on the coast; beautiful scenery such as the Rift Valley and Mount Kenya; rich and varied cultures; good hotels and transport links, including international airports; government promotion of Kenya abroad. Each factor needs the factor plus a short explanation for 2 marks. (b) Insecurity in some areas; poaching; seasonal decline in visitor numbers; competition from other countries; poor roads to some parks; negative effects on local culture. Any four.

8. (a) State four characteristics of jua kali industries in Kenya. (4 marks) (b) Explain three ways in which the government can promote jua kali industries. (6 marks)

Marking points: (a) They use simple tools and little capital; many operate in the open air or in temporary sheds; they recycle scrap materials; they employ few people, often the owner and apprentices; they serve local markets. (b) Giving loans so artisans can buy tools; building sheds and workshops; offering training in technical institutes and business skills; helping artisans find markets, for example through trade fairs.

Fieldwork Parts Are Easy Marks

Many Section B questions end with a fieldwork part, for example a class visit to a farm, a factory or a market. Learn one framework and adapt it: objectives (what you want to find out), a hypothesis, preparation (seeking permission, a route map, a questionnaire), methods of data collection (observation, interviewing, questionnaires, taking photographs, sampling) and follow-up (writing a report, drawing graphs, a class discussion). Always tie each point to the place in the question.

Next Steps for Geography Paper 2

Read the KCSE Geography Paper 2 revision guide, then try the timed Geography Paper 2 challenge and the KCSE Geography quiz. Physical geography and map work are on the KCSE Geography Paper 1 (312/1) questions and answers page, and the rest of the week is in our KCSE 2026 timetable paper-by-paper guide. Browse every subject from the KCSE hub.

Frequently Asked Questions

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