Olzhas Bektenov, born in 1980 and former head of Kazakhstan's Anti-Corruption Agency from 2022-2023, has been confirmed as the new Prime Minister of Kazakhstan. Prior to his nomination, he served as the head of the presidential administration.
The confirmation came during a session of the Parliament of Kazakhstan on February 6, where Bektenov was nominated by the AMANAT party. According to Orda.kz, other ministerial appointments are also expected to take place shortly.
Bektenov’s candidacy was put forward by the party leader Yerlan Koshanov and was endorsed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who at the same time, accepted the resignation tendered by the previous Prime Minister, Alikhan Smailov.
President Tokayev emphasized the need for the government to play a vital role in adopting swift and effective decisions to diversify the economy and bolster the prosperity of the nation's citizens. "We must adapt to new realities, withstand new challenges, and the government must be ready for this," stated Tokayev, "The public expects a new impetus in the government's work, and for these reasons, I have accepted Alikhan Smailov's resignation."
President Tokayev credited the Smailov-led government for ensuring stability in all areas during its tenure.
Smailov's government had been dismissed by Tokayev on February 5, following his appointment as Prime Minister two years prior, after the January 2022 public demonstrations.
Bektenov has been leading the presidential administration since April 2023. His career in the Anti-Corruption Agency began in 2016, eventually becoming its head in 2022-2023. His tenure was marked by high-profile arrests and court cases, particularly forcing individuals like Nursultan Nazarbayev's nephew Kairat Satybaldy and son-in-law Kairat Boranbayev to return multi-billion-dollar assets to the state.
