Tech workers in Kenya gathered on Tuesday to honor the memory of Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a Nigerian content moderator for TikTok who passed away after spending two years in the country.
Olubunmi, who worked for Teleperformance Kenya, was found dead in her residence last week.
Her body was discovered three days later in a state of decomposition. While the cause of death remains unknown, colleagues revealed that she had recently complained of fatigue and expressed a strong desire to return to Nigeria.
In response to allegations that she was denied leave, Teleperformance dismissed the claims as “baseless and untrue.”
However, concerns about working conditions for content moderators in Kenya have been widely discussed. Employees of subcontracted firms have previously spoken out about issues such as low wages, lack of mental health support, extended working hours, and workplace intimidation.
These concerns have led to legal action, with over 100 former Facebook content moderators filing a lawsuit against the social media giant and its Kenya-based subcontractor, Samasource, over unfair labor practices.
During the vigil, tech workers, including content moderators and data labelers, suggested that poor working conditions may have contributed to Olubunmi’s passing. Kauna Malgwi, a friend of the deceased, highlighted the struggles faced by Nigerian employees at Teleperformance.
“There are more than 100 Nigerians working under Teleperformance who haven’t had work permits for the last two years, preventing them from traveling home despite having an annual return ticket benefit,” she said.
Olubunmi’s family was informed of her death a day after her body was found. Teleperformance contacted her brother via email, providing details about the investigation and information on the autopsy and burial arrangements.
As the tech industry in Kenya grapples with concerns over working conditions, Olubunmi’s passing has sparked further discussions about employee welfare and the need for better protections for foreign workers.
