Protests have erupted following the death of Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a Nigerian woman working as a content moderator for TikTok in Nairobi. Olubunmi was found dead in her Lower Kabete apartment on Friday after being missing from work for three days.
According to CNN journalist Larry Madowo, Olubunmi moved to Kenya in 2022 to work for French outsourcing firm Teleperformance, a subsidiary of TikTok. During her time in Kenya, she had not seen her family. She was among many African workers recruited by outsourcing companies to work in Nairobi, but reports indicate that several moderators lacked work permits, restricting their ability to travel home.
A colleague, who spoke anonymously to *The Nigerian Guardian Newspaper*, alleged that Teleperformance denied Olubunmi her leave days and a work permit, making it impossible for her to return home. The source claimed Olubunmi had repeatedly pleaded with managers for permission to visit her family but was ignored.
“The deceased was entitled to a return ticket every year under her contract, but she only went home once after begging and crying to the management,” the colleague said. “She went to her managers in tears, but they laughed at her and recorded her.”
Her sudden death has sparked a strike among her colleagues, who accuse Teleperformance of failing to check on her well-being when she did not report to work. They claim that only after she was unreachable for days did coworkers visit her apartment and discover her body.
Teleperformance has denied any wrongdoing, stating it has been in contact with Olubunmi’s family and local authorities to determine the cause of death. The company has yet to release an official statement addressing the allegations regarding work permits and employee welfare.
Mophat Okinyi, a Kenyan content moderator recognized by *TIME100 AI* for his work in the industry, confirmed the incident and said a vigil would be held in Nairobi in Olubunmi’s honor. Okinyi has been a vocal advocate for improved working conditions for content moderators and is among a group that petitioned the government to investigate the industry’s labor practices.
Olubunmi’s death has drawn attention to the challenges faced by content moderators in Kenya, where many work under high-pressure conditions with limited labor protections. The case has reignited concerns over the treatment of outsourced workers in the global tech industry.
