Two women have been arrested in connection with a photo that was posted in a WhatsApp group, showing one of them holding a firearm. The incident, which raised alarm among Kenyans, prompted a swift response from authorities. The arrest was made following a joint operation between detectives from the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau in the Nyanza Region and officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) in Nyando.
The controversy began when one of the women shared a photo on the platform, where she could be seen holding a pistol. Alongside the image was a threatening message warning any man who might consider ending their relationship with her that they would face severe consequences. The post quickly caught the attention of the public, sparking widespread concern about the possible threat the image posed.
This unusual and alarming post led to a quick response from law enforcement agencies. Detectives initiated an investigation, and the woman who posted the image was located and arrested. During the initial interrogation, she revealed the whereabouts of her close friend, who was believed to be involved. This friend, the second woman, was subsequently taken into custody.
Upon conducting a thorough search of the second woman’s home, located in a rented two-bedroom house, investigators uncovered the firearm that had been shown in the post. The pistol, which had an empty magazine, was cleverly hidden in a basin under the bed, wrapped in clothes to conceal its presence. In addition to the weapon, a fake motorcycle number plate bearing the number KMGG 805M was also recovered from the premises. The investigators continued their search for more evidence, hoping to uncover further details regarding the origin of the firearm and whether other individuals were involved in the case.
Both women are now in custody, with investigations still ongoing. Authorities are working to establish how the firearm was obtained and if it was part of a larger operation involving illegal firearms. The situation has also sparked renewed concerns about the use of social media for illegal activities, with law enforcement stressing the need for vigilance in monitoring online content.
This incident follows closely on the heels of a separate case in which two male suspects were charged at the Kahawa Law Courts for allegedly running fake social media accounts that impersonated high-ranking government officials. The intention behind these fraudulent accounts was to defraud Kenyans, using the guise of official government communication to deceive individuals. One of the suspects, who was particularly tech-savvy, had created numerous fake accounts, which he then sold to others, training them to run the scam. The second suspect had reportedly been trained by the first and was tasked with impersonating a senior government official in order to manipulate unsuspecting victims.
Both cases highlight the increasing attention that law enforcement is paying to the misuse of social media for illegal activities. With the rise of digital platforms, the risk of fraudulent schemes and threats made online has grown, making it more crucial than ever for authorities to monitor and intervene when necessary. These incidents serve as a reminder of how seriously social media misuse is taken and how it can lead to severe consequences, both for individuals involved and for society as a whole. The authorities continue to pursue leads in both cases, aiming to prevent similar incidents in the future.
