(6 January 2026 | Source: Foundation-Bureau for Corruption Investigation)
In August 2025, Saken Sultankhanov became chairman of the SWRIAB - a research organisation working in the field of animal husbandry and crop production. Sources at the FBCI claim that he is allegedly the father-in-law of the Vice-Minister of Agriculture, Yermek Kenzhekhanov, which could create a potential risk of a conflict of interest in the institute's interaction with the ministry.
THE ROLE OF SWRIAB IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR
The South-Western Research Institute of Animal Husbandry and Crop Production (SWRIAB) LLP is engaged in research and development in animal husbandry, crop production, breeding work and selection, as well as improving the productivity of agricultural livestock. The institute participates in state programmes, receives grants and government orders, implements advanced technologies and provides expert recommendations for the development of the agricultural sector.
Cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture involves joint work on industry projects, including the preparation and implementation of initiatives aimed at developing agriculture.
BIOGRAPHIES OF SULTANKHANOV AND KENZHEKHANOV
Saken Sultankhanov prior to his appointment as chairman of SWRIAB worked in state bodies of the Turkestan region. From August 2018 to April 2022, he held the post of deputy akim of the Maktaaral district, and from April 2022 to April 2024, he headed the Otyrar district as akim. According to data from open sources, Sultankhanov has four children: Damir, Ainur, Dana and Ayaru Asilkhan.
Yermek Kenzhekhanov held various administrative and managerial positions in the Aktobe and Turkestan regions. From 2015 to 2018, he headed the Department of Tourism and External Relations of the Aktobe region, and in 2018–2019, he headed the Department of Informatisation and External Relations of the region. In 2019–2021, Kenzhekhanov was akim of the Martuk district of the Aktobe region, after which, in 2021–2022, he served as deputy akim of the Aktobe region. From 2022 until his appointment as Vice-Minister of Agriculture, he worked as deputy akim of the Turkestan region.
Information about the spouse of Yermek Kenzhekhanov is absent from open sources; however, if the information received is to be believed, his wife may be Sultankhanov's eldest daughter — Ainur Asilkhan.
POTENTIAL RISKS AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST
If the chairman of SWRIAB is indeed a relative of the Vice-Minister, this could create a potential risk of a conflict of interest. In particular, the ministry's decisions regarding the institute's funding and government orders could be perceived as dependent on personal connections, which increases reputational risks for both parties, even if all procedures are legally and correctly documented.
The editorial board of the FBCI has sent official requests to the relevant departments to clarify the information.
(Information about family ties is provided based on reports from sources who wished to remain anonymous and has not been officially confirmed - editor's note from the FBCI)