The arrest of the Deputy Akim of Shymkent triggered a sharp reaction of masses and rumors about soon deposition of the City Akim, Murat Aitenov.

Famous political observer, Daniyar Ashimbayev thinks, that the situation may be used to discuss the political traditions of Shymkent City, as follows below:

Political Games in the Most Complicated City

Shymkent has this tradition – its Akims leave their offices in not the nicest way, so to say. After that, if they succeed with their careers, that does not happen easily. 

Shymkent is not an easy city – a quintessence of the “Southern Style of Administration”.

Tremendous invisible interests based on grey economy, corruption, tribal division and other things of the kind. 

Statistics indicate that the Shymkent region is not rich, but it has anomaly high headcount of local oligarchs and illegal operators.

On one side, the ruler of the region must maintain the balance of interests, so not to get eaten. On the other side, if you pay too much attention to that balance, the balance eats you.

Shymkent Akym must be very strong – he must implement the policy of the government, but he must seek compromise among numerous local problems and demands.

There is silence about Aitenov’s ties and lobbies

Aitenov is the youngest Akim of a big urban community. He is only 41 years old, but he has gained good experience, holding his office for 3.5 years. Considering the shameful dismissal of the two predecessors, many in this country thought he would not last long. After three years, they started discussing his lobbies in the capital city. But lobbies in Astana are not enough for Shymkent – you should maintain the proper working level, as well. Besides, it is not habitual to discuss lobbies openly in the South.

Recently, the Office of Akim put forward the General Plan for City Development, which plan triggered a sharp reaction ,because it includes Light Rail Transportation project. They were not even done scolding the plan, when Akim’s Deputy got arrested. The arrested official, by the way, is a veteran. He worked with Mamin, Saparbayev and Baibek. Masses were still in the middle of studying the biography of the Akim, when Internet began discussing versions about his soonest dismissal. The Akim stood his ground, but those talks are still echoing. Criticism (sometimes beyond all limits) of the present Akim, as well as his predecessors is a non-stop exercise – not because they fail their duties, but because there is a long queue of candidates out there waiting for their turn. 

Shymkent Akim leave the office over each two years and it is obvious, that 3.5 years of Akim Aitenov are a pain in someone’s neck. 

I would not say, he is a very good Akim, but calling him bad is not true. His Deputy is under arrest. That is bad, despite being a local tradition. But there are no special grievances in regards to the present Akim”.