Tokayev approves new Security Council leadership and staff

September 8, 2026 at 12:00 PM2 min

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Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev approved a new Security Council membership on September 5, bringing in the heads of the KNB, Interior Ministry, Defense Ministry, Prosecutor General's Office, State Security Service, Foreign Ministry, Emergencies Ministry, the prime minister and the presidential administration chief. He also appointed Murat Baimukashev to lead the Security Council staff, with three deputies named. The move creates a standalone state body with powers comparable to the presidential administration.

Key Facts

President Tokayev approved the new Security Council membership on September 5, including the heads of the KNB, Interior Ministry, Defense Ministry, Prosecutor General's Office, State Security Service, Foreign Ministry, Emergencies Ministry, the prime minister and the presidential administration chief.
Murat Baimukashev was appointed head of the Security Council staff, with Nurlan Kazhiakbarov as first deputy and Ruslan Zhaksylykov and Gennady Zuev as deputies.
The Security Council staff is being formed as a standalone state body with powers no less than those of the presidential administration.
The expanded threat list includes mass protests, elite infighting, conflicts within the security bloc, man-made disasters, economic collapse, information attacks and uncontrolled regime change.
Kazakhstan plans to allocate 5 trillion tenge from the National Fund over the next three years for strategically important projects with long-term socio-economic impact.

New Security Council Lineup

On September 5, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev approved a new Security Council membership that includes the heads of the KNB, Interior Ministry, Defense Ministry, Prosecutor General's Office, State Security Service, Foreign Ministry, Emergencies Ministry, the prime minister and the presidential administration chief. The same day, Murat Baimukashev was appointed head of the Security Council staff, with Nurlan Kazhiakbarov as first deputy and Ruslan Zhaksylykov and Gennady Zuev as deputies. Baimukashev was released from his previous position to take the new role. Earlier, Aida Balayeva was appointed deputy chair of the Security Council.

Standalone State Body

The Security Council staff is being separated from the presidential administration into an independent state body with powers no less than those of the administration itself. Officially, the change is explained as improving public administration and strengthening national security. The expanded threat list now includes mass protests, elite infighting, conflicts within the security bloc, man-made disasters, economic collapse, external and internal information attacks, and uncontrolled regime change.

Funding and Scenarios

Kazakhstan plans to allocate 5 trillion tenge from the National Fund over the next three years for strategically important projects with long-term socio-economic impact. President Tokayev said the funds should not be spent aimlessly. The new Security Council structure is designed to prepare for at least seven scenarios, including early threat detection, elite monitoring, security conflicts, external interference, major disasters and economic crisis.