Content moderators in Kenya held a vigil for Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a Nigerian TikTok moderator, who died under unclear circumstances.
Olubunmi, employed by Teleperformance Kenya, was found deceased in her home last week, her body discovered after three days.
Colleagues report she expressed fatigue and a strong desire to return to Nigeria, a trip she had been unable to make for two years.
The cause of Olubunmi’s death remains unknown, but the incident has reignited concerns about the working conditions faced by content moderators.
Teleperformance Kenya, in a statement to a journalist, refuted claims that Olubunmi was denied leave, calling them “baseless and untrue.”
However, colleagues allege that many Nigerian employees lack work permits, preventing travel home.
Content moderators, including those from other tech giants, gathered at the vigil, citing poor pay, mental health support deficiencies, and long hours as contributing factors to the tragedy.
Kauna Malgwi, a friend of Olubunmi, emphasized that over 100 Nigerian workers at Teleperformance have been unable to use their annual return tickets due to permit issues.
Olubunmi’s family, informed of her death a day after discovery, now faces the challenge of arranging burial, potentially in Nairobi due to financial constraints.
