The Waata people are found across nine counties in Kenya: Taita Taveta, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu, Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit, and Isiolo. Due to their traditional livelihood and migration patterns, the Waata are a scattered community. Before independence, the Waata were primarily a hunter-gatherer community. However, after independence, the government banned hunting in forests, effectively making their way of life illegal. As a result, the Waata transitioned into small-scale farming, fishing, and running small businesses. Today, majority of them are small-scale farmers.

Bible translation work in this project officially began in 2012, with the project office located in Gongoni. Orthography development started the same year and was completed by January 2013. Following this milestone, the team translated health-related shell books and other materials before beginning work on the Gospel of Luke. The Gospel of Luke was completed and dedicated on May 26, 2015, at Chamari Waata village.

In 2017, the Jesus Film was recorded in the Waata language and launched in 2018 at the Anglican Church in Gongoni. On February 13, 2020, additional Scripture portions were launched, including the books of Ruth, Acts of the Apostles, and Philemon, during a celebration held at the Golbanti PEFA Mission Centre in Tana River County.

On 5th July 2025, the Waata community received their New Testament in a colourful ceremony. The translation team has embarked on the translation of the Old Testament, and you can support the Old Testament translation by clicking the Donate Button below. 

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