Funeral held in Kenya for TikTok content moderator following death in unclear circumstances

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — A funeral was held on Thursday for a TikTok content moderator who died in unclear circumstances in Kenya last month.

Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi’s decomposed remains were found on March 7 at her apartment on the outskirts of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, three days after she failed to show up at work.

Olubunmi, 43, was employed as a TikTok content moderator subcontracted by a global outsourcing firm, Teleperformance. The Nigerian had complained of fatigue before her death, the cause of which has not been revealed.

Her death has underlined concerns about the poor working conditions for hundreds of content moderators and others working for tech corporations like TikTok and Facebook in African countries.

Content moderators working for subcontracted firms based in Kenya have in the past described working conditions that they say include lower than average pay, lack of mental health support, long working hours and intimidation.

More than 100 former Facebook content moderators have sued the social media company over what they say is poor pay and working conditions and unfair termination of employment.

Olubunmi had been living in Kenya since 2022 and only managed to travel back home once, despite having an annual return ticket benefit in her employment contract.

Colleagues said she was “desperate to go home” but was denied leave. Teleperformance Kenya said in a statement in March that she wasn’t denied leave to travel home. In a tribute, a company spokesperson described Olubunmi as “a selfless, compassionate and deeply caring individual.”

Among the mourners on Thursday was Olubunmi's elder brother, who travelled to Nairobi for the emotional ceremony. He was overcome by grief as friends and colleagues eulogized Olubunmi as “selfless.”

Tauheed Tayo Yakubu, a colleague of Olubunmi, described her as a champion for better working conditions, detailing how in November 2023 she staged a walkout for Nigerian colleagues demanding for valid work permits.

“She requested that every Nigerian leave the job immediately and then we all marched,” he said.

A representative from the Nigerian high commission attended the funeral, along with about 200 people from Olubunmi's workplace and the Nigerian community in Kenya.

Tauheed Tayo Yakubu, mourns during a funeral ceremony for Nigerian Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a TikTok content moderator employed by subcontractor Teleperformance, at the Langata cemetery in Nairobi, Kenya Thursday, April. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)

Mourners listen during the funeral service of Nigerian Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a TikTok content moderator employed by subcontractor Teleperformance, at Chiromo Funeral Parlour in Nairobi, Kenya Thursday, April. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)

Mourners listen during the funeral service of Nigerian Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a TikTok content moderator employed by subcontractor Teleperformance, at Chiromo Funeral Parlour in Nairobi, Kenya Thursday, April. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)

Mourners bury the body of Nigerian Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a TikTok content moderator employed by subcontractor Teleperformance, at the Langata cemetery in Nairobi, Kenya Thursday, April. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)

The casket for Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a TikTok content moderator employed by subcontractor Teleperformance, at Chiromo Funeral Parlour in Nairobi, Kenya Thursday, April. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)

A woman cries during a funeral ceremony for Nigerian Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a TikTok content moderator employed by subcontractor Teleperformance, at Chiromo Funeral Parlour in Nairobi, Kenya Thursday, April. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)

Mourners carry the casket of Nigerian Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a TikTok content moderator employed by subcontractor Teleperformance, at Chiromo Funeral Parlour in Nairobi, Kenya Thursday, April. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)

Mourners sing during the funeral service of Nigerian Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a TikTok content moderator employed by subcontractor Teleperformance, at Chiromo Funeral Parlour in Nairobi, Kenya Thursday, April. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)

Mourners listen during the funeral service for Nigerian Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a TikTok content moderator employed by subcontractor Teleperformance, at the Langata cemetery in Nairobi, Kenya Thursday, April. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)

Mourners carry the casket of Nigerian Ladi Anzaki Olubunmi, a TikTok content moderator employed by subcontractor Teleperformance, at Chiromo Funeral Parlour in Nairobi, Kenya Thursday, April. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 12, 2026--

Today, a leading global wedding technology platform The Knot Worldwide (TKWW), announced the appointment of Michael Pickrum as Chief Financial Officer. With more than 25 years of experience in strategic finance, operations, and business development within the media and technology industries, Pickrum will oversee TKWW’s global finance organization. Pickrum joins TKWW at an exciting moment as the company celebrates its 30-year anniversary and continues to grow and scale with a focus on product innovation.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260112910392/en/

Pickrum joins TKWW from Maximum Effort, the media, marketing, and investment company co-founded by Ryan Reynolds, where he served as Chief Financial Officer. Before this, he held the roles of COO and CFO at ExecOnline, Inc., a B2B online leadership development company. Pickrum spent over 17 years at BET/Viacom, where he served as EVP and CFO starting in 2007. Prior to that, he was COO of BET Interactive. He earned his master's and bachelor's degrees in engineering from Stanford University and his MBA from The Wharton School.

“I am thrilled to be joining TKWW at such an important time in the company’s journey,” said Michael Pickrum, CFO, TKWW. “There is incredible power in celebrations and I am looking forward to working with the exceptional team at TKWW to further enable our millions of couples and 900,000 small business owners around the world to celebrate life’s most meaningful moments.”

“Michael is a world-class financial and operations leader with an impressive track record of driving strategic growth and operational excellence across media and technology companies,” said Raina Moskowitz, CEO, TKWW. “As we continue to grow and scale with a focus on product innovation, Michael’s deep expertise in strategic planning, analysis, and capital allocation will be critical to our ongoing success. We are thrilled to have him join our team and help guide TKWW through our next phase of growth.”

Pickrum is based in New York, NY and reports to TKWW Chief Executive Officer Raina Moskowitz.

About The Knot Worldwide
Across North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia, The Knot Worldwide champions the power of celebration. The company’s global family of brands provides best-in-class products, services, and content to take celebration planning from inspiration to action. Through its wedding brands, including The Knot, WeddingWire, Bodas.net, Hitched.co.uk, Mariages.net, Matrimonio.com, and others, the company offers an extensive database of hundreds of thousands of wedding professionals to assist couples in organizing the happiest day of their lives. We have a brand for every kind of celebration—from booking a birthday party, to planning a wedding, to preparing to become a parent, and every moment in between.

Michael Pickrum, courtesy of The Knot Worldwide