People group profile · PG014855
The Waata of Kenya
The Waata of Kenya, numbering about 23,000 people, are Unengaged and Unreached. They are an Oromo-speaking Indigenous ethnic group in Kenya, historically known as hunter-gatherers and archers.
They are an indigenous people in the Khoisan people cluster of the Sub-Saharan African Peoples. Their primary religion is Sunni Islam, and they primarily speak Waata.
Fast facts
- Country
- Kenya
- Population
- 23,000
- Affinity group
- Sub-Saharan African Peoples
- People cluster
- Khoisan
- Primary language
- Waata (ssn)
- Primary religion
- Sunni Islam
- Strategic Progress Index
- Unengaged and Unreached
- Evangelical
- Less than 2%
- GSEC
- Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
- Lostness priority
- Pioneer Unreached People Group
- Also known as
- Watha, Waat, Aryangulo
- Region
- Eastern Africa, Africa
- Location
- Isiolo county: north of Meru town; Garissa and Lamu counties: east of Tana river; Kilifi county: Indian Ocean coast and inland from Formosa Bay south to Gongoni town; Tana River county: Garsen area west of Tana river
Where they live
Gospel status
The Waata are Unengaged and Unreached, which means fewer than 2% are evangelical Christians, and there has been no reported church planting activity in the past two years. In GSEC terms, this people group is less than 2% evangelical, some evangelical resources are available, but there has been no active church planting among them within the past two years.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Waata
- Pray that God would send workers to this people group
- Begin sowing the gospel and seek out people of peace
- Plant the first churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice
Primary religion
Sunni Islam · Islam
65% adherents
Primary language
Waata · Afro-Asiatic family
100% speak Waata
Gospel resources in Waata
- Bible available, published 2024
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Waata
- Revelation 7:9. Pray for the day when people from this group stand before the throne with every nation, tribe, people and language.
- John 17:3. Pray that many will come to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent.
- Psalm 27:1. Pray that new believers will be strengthened in the face of persecution, with the Lord as their stronghold.
- Romans 12:4–5. Pray that believers from many cultures will work together as one body so that the church is built up.
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