A maned lion lying in the grass in Tsavo

The Wayyu

A small community of former hunters along the Tana and Galana rivers, who chose the name Wayyu.

Homeland

The Wayyu live scattered along the Tana and Galana rivers, in the Taru Desert and in Marsabit. The 2019 census counted 3,761 people.

Name

The community formally adopted the name Wayyu, rejecting "Waata" as pejorative. Wayyu is used here.

Ostriches on the green plains — Marsabit County.

History

The Wayyu are former elephant hunters, famed for powerful longbows and poisoned arrows. Historically they lived as low-status clients attached to Borana and Orma herders.

Recognition

The Wayyu have been announced as Kenya's 46th tribe, though the numbering of recently recognized communities is disputed.

A giraffe on open plains — Isiolo County.

Sources

From The Peoples of Kenya: An Ethnographic Reference (Kenya Experience, November 2026), a synthesis of published sources. Practices described as traditional are historical baselines; today most Kenyans are Christian or Muslim, live in or near towns and speak Swahili and English. Spot something to correct? Write to kibetck@kenyaexperience.org.

Common questions

Where do the Wayyu live?

Scattered along the Tana and Galana rivers, in the Taru Desert and in Marsabit, across Marsabit, Isiolo, Tana River and Kilifi counties.

Why is the name Waata no longer used?

The community formally adopted the name Wayyu and rejects "Waata" as pejorative.

Are the Wayyu Kenya's 46th tribe?

They were announced as the 46th, but the numbering is disputed: press reports also give the Pemba as 46th.

Umoja

Umoja means unity.

More than forty peoples, one Kenya

Kenya's many communities, languages and traditions are one of its great strengths, and the reason no two days of a Kenya trip feel the same. Meet them through hosts, guides and neighbors on a trip planned by Kenyans.

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Related peoples

All of Kenya's peoples