Tokayev reappoints interior and defense ministers after parliament election

September 3, 2026 at 10:11 AM1 min

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Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reappointed Yerzhan Sadenov as interior minister and Dauren Kosanov as defense minister on Thursday, September 3. The decrees follow the election of a new unicameral parliament and the government's resignation. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov was reappointed on August 31.

Key Facts

Yerzhan Sadenov, 57, has led the Ministry of Internal Affairs since September 2023.
Dauren Kosanov, 56, became defense minister in July 2025.
Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov was reappointed on August 31 by an absolute majority of deputies.
Nurlan Yermekovich Sauranbayev was appointed minister of transport by presidential decree.
Nurlybek Nalibayev was appointed first deputy prime minister, and Zhaslan Madiyev was appointed deputy prime minister – minister of artificial intelligence and digital development.

Cabinet Reshuffle

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed decrees on September 3 reappointing Yerzhan Sadenov as minister of internal affairs and Dauren Kosanov as minister of defense. Sadenov, 57, has headed the Ministry of Internal Affairs since September 2023, while Kosanov, 56, has served as defense minister since July 2025. The reappointments follow the election of a new unicameral parliament, after which the cabinet resigned in accordance with Article 69 of the Constitution. On August 28, Tokayev ordered the government to continue performing its duties until a new cabinet is approved.

Other Appointments

Nurlan Yermekovich Sauranbayev was appointed minister of transport by presidential decree, according to the Akorda press service. Nurlybek Nalibayev was appointed first deputy prime minister, and Zhaslan Madiyev was appointed deputy prime minister – minister of artificial intelligence and digital development. Nalibayev was born on October 13, 1976, in Zhanakorgan district of Kyzylorda region and graduated from the Kazakh National Agrarian University in 1997. Madiyev's appointment was announced by Akorda alongside Nalibayev's, continuing the series of cabinet appointments after the government's resignation.