Tech Workers Hold Vigil for Deceased Nigerian Colleague in Kenya
Technology workers in Kenya gathered for a vigil on Tuesday to mourn their colleague, Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a Nigerian content moderator for TikTok who died in unclear circumstances after being unable to return home for two years.
Olubunmi, who was employed by the subcontractor Teleperformance Kenya, was found dead in her house three days after her passing. While the cause of her death remains unknown, colleagues claim she had complained of fatigue and was desperate to return to Nigeria.
Claims of Restricted Travel and Harsh Working Conditions
According to fellow workers, over 100 Nigerian employees at Teleperformance lack work permits, preventing them from using their annual return ticket benefits to visit home. However, Teleperformance Kenya denied denying Olubunmi leave, stating that she had traveled home once in her three years in Kenya.
This tragedy has reignited concerns about poor working conditions for content moderators in Kenya. Employees working for subcontracted tech firms have previously reported issues such as low pay, excessive working hours, lack of mental health support, and workplace intimidation.
Legal Battles Over Tech Workers’ Rights
In a similar case, over 100 former Facebook content moderators have sued Meta and its Kenyan-based subcontractor, Samasource, for unfair treatment, including poor pay, exploitative conditions, and wrongful termination.
Many workers at Tuesday’s vigil believe Olubunmi’s struggles may have been linked to the stressful nature of her job and the challenges of working far from home without proper documentation.
Family Struggles to Repatriate Body
Olubunmi’s decomposed body was discovered by a neighbor, and her family in Nigeria was informed a day later via an email from Teleperformance. The company provided her brother with the contacts of Kenyan authorities handling the case.
Due to financial constraints, her family is unable to transport her remains back to Nigeria and is now considering burying her in Nairobi with the help of her local church.
Source: africanews