Small ruminant production is the integral part of livestock production with major economic significance in Shirka district. However, their productive and reproductive performance is very low which could be associated with parasitic infections. Cross sectional study was conducted to identify and determine the prevalence with its associated risk factors of major GIT nematodes in small ruminants circulating in and around Shirka district, South Eastern Ethiopia. A total of 384 randomly selected small ruminants were examined using standard parasitological diagnostic methods including direct fecal smear, floatation techniques and fecal culture. The total prevalence of GIT nematodes in small ruminants in the study area was 41.7% (160/384) out of the total sampled animals based on coprological examination. The current study revealed 54.4% (147/270) and 11.4% (13/114) prevalence rates in sheep and goats respectively. The major identified parasites on the current study area were Haemonchus (14%), Mixed infec tions with two or more parasites (12.8%), Ostertagia (10.7%), Trichostrongylus (6.4), Capilari a (3.7%), Strongyles (2.1%), Nematodirus (1.6%) and Monezia (0.8) respectively. The study revealed significantly higher (p<0.05) prevalence of nematodes in sheep and, old aged, poor body conditioned and previously non treated animals whereas, sex did not show statistically significant difference (p>0.05) with prevalence of identified GIT nematodes. In conclusion, more nematode parasites were identified circulating with high prevalence rate in the study area, which implies nematodes are the major constraints for production and productivity of small ruminant animals. Therefore, economically feasible, effective management and strategic deworming of animals should be implemented by giving emphasis on the efficacy and development of drug resistance for the prevention and control of these parasites.