Two women are in police custody after detectives recovered a pistol from a house in Awasi, Kisumu County, following a viral WhatsApp status post that alarmed authorities.
According to a statement by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Tuesday, April 16, 2025, the operation was led by officers from the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau based in the Nyanza region, working together with their counterparts from Nyando.
The investigation was sparked by a social media post shared by a woman believed to be in her twenties. In the photo, she is seen holding a pistol and warning that any man who dared to dump her would face dire consequences.
“The arrest follows a report received of Sharon Auma, who decided to spice up her WhatsApp status, posting a photo of herself brandishing a pistol while ominously warning that any man who dared dump her would face severe consequences.”
The post quickly caught the attention of law enforcement. Detectives acted swiftly, tracing the woman to Awasi town where she was arrested. Upon interrogation, she led the officers to a two-bedroom house belonging to her friend, who has since been identified as a person of interest in the case.
During a detailed search of the house, officers discovered a Canik pistol with an empty magazine. The weapon had been concealed in a pile of clothes and hidden in a basin beneath a bed. They also found a counterfeit motorcycle number plate bearing the registration KMGG 805M.
“Responding swiftly, the hawk-eyed detectives swooped into Awasi town and apprehended Sharon. Upon questioning, she led officers to a rented two-bedroom house belonging to her friend, and now co-accused, Nancy Atieno Obura,” the authorities stated.
Adding;
“A thorough search of the house turned up the pistol in question, with an empty magazine, cleverly wrapped in clothes and stashed in a basin under the bed. Also recovered is a fake motorcycle number plate bearing the number KMGG 805M.”
The two women are currently being held at a local police station as detectives continue their investigations. They are expected to be arraigned in court once processing is complete.
Authorities said they are following additional leads and are working to establish the origin of the firearm and whether the two may be part of a wider criminal network.