Purpose: This study aimed to assess Dugongs' status distribution of dugongs (Dugong dugon) in Kenya. A dugong is a herbivorous marine mammal of the tropical and subtropical Indo-West Pacific and the Indian Ocean. Dugongs are one of four existing species of the order Sirenia, which is considered most at risk of extinction. Globally, IUCN classified the Dugong as rare; Kenya has done the same under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act 2013, thus making Dugongs a conservation priority. This paper discusses the traditional practices of dugongs and how this influenced their population and conservation. Methodology: The study used a literature review, semi-structured questionnaires, guided interviews, and focus group discussions with respondents on obtaining data.   Findings: More than 100 dugongs occurred in the Kenyan waters in the 1960s; their population has declined drastically since then.  Dugongs were a sought-after delicacy on the Kenyan coast. Dugong meat was consumed for its taste and nutritional use. In the northern study areas, its oil was separated and used for cosmetic and medicinal purposes. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: This study confirms fishing practices and traditional consumption practices on dugongs were seen to have led to their detriment. The study recommends rich continuous education and awareness efforts to change the thinking and practices of the people towards conservation of dugongs and the environment in general.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess Dugongs' status distribution of dugongs (Dugong dugon) in Kenya. A dugong is a herbivorous marine mammal of the tropical and subtropical Indo-West Pacific and the Indian Ocean. Globally, IUCN classified the Dugong as rare; Kenya has done the same under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act 2013, thus making Dugongs a conservation priority. The study's main objective was to assess dugongs' distribution and status for conservation in Kenya since the 1960s. Methodology: The study employed a concurrent triangulation design to corroborate findings from three methods. The study used a literature review, semi-structured questionnaires, guided interviews, and focus group discussions with respondents on obtaining socio-economic data. Data was collected in fishing villages with documented and or anecdotal records of the availability of dugongs. Experiences 378 fishers were reached for the study. The study aggregated the number of dugongs sited by decades from the six sampled study sites and presented the data on a line graph. Further, the study computed the rate of change in dugongs from one decade to the next. Findings: More than 100 dugongs occurred in the Kenyan waters in the 1960s; their population has declined considerably since then. The dugong habitat and feeding area have also shrunk over the same period, further aggravating the situation. There were more than thirty known dugong feeding areas in the study areas; only 10 of them are still known to host dugongs. An estimated 20 dugongs are known to be present in the Kenyan marine waters in the current times. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: This study confirmed the presence of dugongs in Kenya. Further, the dugong numbers are very small, thus showing an urgent need for their conservation. Dugongs are found in Kiunga and Kisite Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and their immediate surroundings; this amplifies the conservation value of the MPAs.