A funeral was held on Thursday for Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a Nigerian TikTok content moderator based in Kenya, who was found dead under unclear circumstances last month.
Olubunmi’s decomposed body was discovered on March 7 at her apartment on the outskirts of Nairobi, three days after she failed to report to work. Mourners at the Chiromo Funeral Parlour included her elder brother, who traveled to Nairobi for the emotional service. He was visibly distressed as friends and colleagues paid tribute to Olubunmi, recalling her as a “selfless” individual.
Olubunmi, 43, had worked as a subcontracted content moderator for Teleperformance, a global outsourcing company, and had been employed in Kenya since 2022. She had reportedly complained of fatigue prior to her death, but the cause of her passing has not been disclosed. Despite having an annual return ticket benefit in her employment contract, Olubunmi had only been able to return to Nigeria once during her time in Kenya.
According to colleagues, Olubunmi was eager to return home but had been denied leave. Teleperformance Kenya issued a statement in March, stating that Olubunmi was not denied permission to take leave. A company spokesperson described her as “a selfless, compassionate, and deeply caring individual” in a tribute.
Content moderators working for subcontracted firms in Kenya have previously raised concerns about their working conditions, including low pay, lack of mental health support, long hours, and workplace intimidation. These claims echo those made by over 100 former Facebook content moderators who have sued the company for poor pay, unfair termination, and substandard working conditions.
Tauheed Tayo Yakubu, a colleague of Olubunmi, praised her as a champion for better labor conditions. He recounted an incident in November 2023 when Olubunmi led a walkout for Nigerian colleagues who were demanding valid work permits. “She requested that every Nigerian leave the job immediately, and then we all marched,” Yakubu said.