Technology workers in Kenya gathered Tuesday to mourn the death of Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a Nigerian content moderator for TikTok who died in unclear circumstances after being unable to return home for two years.
Olubunmi, employed by the subcontractor Teleperformance Kenya, was found dead in her home last week, her body discovered three days after her passing. Colleagues reported that she had frequently complained of fatigue and expressed desperation to return to Nigeria.
Teleperformance Kenya did not respond to inquiries from The Associated Press.
In a statement seen by AP, the company dismissed claims that Olubunmi had been denied leave as “baseless and untrue.”
The incident has reignited concerns over working conditions for content moderators in Kenya.
Employees of subcontracted firms have previously spoken out about low wages, excessive working hours, lack of mental health support, and workplace intimidation.
More than 100 former Facebook moderators have sued the company over similar grievances, citing unfair treatment by its Kenyan subcontractor, Samasource.
At the vigil, dozens of content moderators and data labelers voiced their fears that harsh conditions may have played a role in Olubunmi’s death.
“There are over 100 Nigerians under Teleperformance Kenya who lack work permits, preventing them from traveling home despite having return ticket benefits,” said Kauna Malgwi, a friend of the deceased.