In a tale that reads like a TikTok skit gone wrong, detectives have arrested a woman after she posted a WhatsApp status brandishing a pistol — and vowing to shoot any man who dared break her heart.
The woman, identified as Sharon Auma, was arrested in Awasi town, Kisumu County, after officers from the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau and their counterparts from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Nyando tracked her down following the disturbing post.
“I don’t do heartbreak. Dump me, and I’ll dump you in the next world,” read one of Auma’s statuses, accompanied by a photo of her holding what appeared to be a loaded firearm.
Police say the post triggered an immediate response, citing public safety concerns and the clear threat of violence.
Auma was not alone.
Upon her arrest, she led detectives to a rented two-bedroom house owned by her friend — Nancy Atieno Obura — who was also taken into custody.
A search of the premises yielded the weapon: a Canik pistol with an empty magazine, carefully wrapped in clothing and stashed in a plastic basin beneath the bed.
Also recovered in the sting operation was a fake motorcycle number plate, reading KMGG 805M, sparking additional investigations into whether the firearm was connected to other criminal activities.
The case underscores the dangers of social media posts that blur the lines between humor and criminal intent. While Auma’s post may have been seen by some as a melodramatic threat or a cry for attention, law enforcement officials viewed it as a red flag.
“We take such threats seriously,” said one DCI officer involved in the case.
“In a country already grappling with gender-based violence and rising insecurity, this is not a matter for online clout-chasing.”
Authorities say they are investigating how the two women came into possession of the firearm and whether it had been used in previous incidents.
The Canik pistol, a semi-automatic handgun of Turkish origin, is not commonly found in legal civilian circulation in Kenya.
Both suspects remain in custody, with police indicating they will be charged for illegal possession of a firearm, threats to life, and possession of falsified registration documents. A court appearance is expected later this week.
Meanwhile, digital forensics experts are combing through the women’s devices to uncover any wider network or communications related to the weapon or other illegal activity.
The arrest has ignited online conversations in Kenya around obsession, heartbreak, and the increasingly blurred line between digital personas and real-world consequences.
While some users mocked Auma’s bravado, others expressed concern over the glamorization of violence in personal relationships.
“Breakups are not a war declaration. People need therapy, not firearms,” wrote one X user.
As police continue to pursue additional leads, the bizarre case of the “heartbreak hitwoman” has become a viral cautionary tale — a reminder that in the digital age, even your WhatsApp status can get you cuffed.
