Death of TikTok Moderator in Kenya Prompts Official Investigation Into Outsourcing Practices

The death of Ladi Anzaki Olubumni, a Nigerian national and content moderator for TikTok, has ignited outrage among gig workers in Kenya, raising serious concerns about labour practices within the outsourcing industry.

Olubumni, who worked for a prominent outsourcing firm in Nairobi, was found dead in her apartment on March 7 after being absent from work for three days. The Kenya Union of Gig Workers (KUGWO) has issued a statement on March 10, calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Olubumni’s death. The union alleges that Olubumni’s requests for leave and a return ticket to Nigeria were repeatedly denied.

According to reports, the outsourcing firm, which employs numerous African workers, had promised Olubumni an annual return ticket to her home country. However, colleagues claim that she, like many other moderators, lacked a proper work permit. This allegedly prevented her from returning home due to fears of potential extortion or harassment at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). The company has denied these allegations, saying it has maintained continuous contact with Olubumni’s family and local authorities.

It also refutes claims of silencing employees, although CNN's Larry Madowo notes the reluctance of Olubumni's colleagues to speak on record.
KUGWO has called upon the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into Olubumni’s death. It also urges the Ministry of Labour to scrutinize the company's labor practices, specifically focusing on potential violations of labour laws, unauthorized wage deductions, and instances of worker mistreatment.

The union further demands that the outsourcing firm permit its workers to join trade unions, as guaranteed by Article 41 of the Kenyan Constitution.
Olubumni’s death occurs against a backdrop of prior accusations against the same outsourcing firm. Facebook content moderators in Kenya have previously filed lawsuits alleging poor working conditions, low pay, and a toxic work culture. These moderators claim they were misled about the nature of the content they would be reviewing, leading to diagnoses of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

This incident has brought renewed focus on the urgent need for improved labour rights and protections for gig workers.