It's just too often that what they say disagrees with what they do, and too often that they declare reforms. They promised the freedom of speech, and yet, right now, before the presidential elections, they try to shut the mouths of journalists who criticize them (typically, fabricating cases against them).

And, if you didn't know - the first thing Tokayev did in 2019 when Nazarbayev (the first president who ruled almost 30 years) handed the rein to him - is that he proposed to rename the Kazakhstani capital, Astana, to Nur-Sultan (Nazarbayev's first name). And of course, the Parliament unanimously supported the idea. Not a single member objected.

Few months ago it was "proposed" by someone from the Parliament (of course, not as an own initiative, hence quotes) to rename the capital back to Astana, and Tokayev supported. The parliament voted unanimously. Not a single member objected.

I do agree that things seem better in Kazakshtan now than they were even a decade ago, or even than they are now in most other post-Soviet countries. But it's still way too far...

When you hear that your government is going to do a groundbreaking reforms. Every few years. After a while you'll get some tolerance to those claims.