Kazakhstan's Tokayev warns of collapsing trust in local governance

Why are Kazakhs bypassing local leaders for answers? A 30% spike in pleas to the capital reveals a system in distress—and a president demanding reform.

, and Administrator

2026 March 12 . 9:08 PM

1 min read

The image shows a circle with the words "community accountability" written in the center,... — The image shows a circle with the words "community accountability" written in the center, surrounded by three overlapping circles. The circles are connected by arrows, indicating the interconnectedness of the three components of community accountability. The text is written in a bold font, emphasizing the importance of the message. The colors used in the image are bright and vibrant, conveying a sense of hope and optimism.

Kazakhstan's Tokayev warns of collapsing trust in local governance

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has highlighted growing concerns over local governance in Kazakhstan. During a recent address, he pointed to a sharp rise in appeals from regional officials to the central government—up 30% from the previous year. The issue stems from citizens bypassing local authorities, often seeking help directly from the capital or the president himself.

Last year, around 83,000 requests were sent to the central government by regional officials. This marked a significant increase compared to earlier figures. Tokayev stressed that many of these problems could have been resolved at the local level if authorities had acted sooner.

Local deputies, known as *maslikhat* members, submitted roughly 6,000 formal inquiries to regional executive bodies in the same period. The president underlined the importance of these inquiries being well-prepared and effective. He described deputies as a vital link between the people and the government, responsible for addressing urgent public concerns. The president also noted a troubling trend: citizens are increasingly turning to him or the capital for answers because local officials fail to provide even basic explanations. This, he warned, undermines public trust in regional governance and slows down problem-solving.

Tokayev's remarks signal a push for stronger local accountability. With deputies expected to play a key role, the focus now shifts to improving how regional authorities handle public grievances. The goal is to reduce reliance on the central government and ensure faster, more efficient solutions at the local level.