Kassym-Jomart Tokayev: The Man, The Myth, The Legend(ary President)

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, commonly known as “KJ” (Not to be confused with KFC’s famous KFC abbreviation) is a Kazakhstani politician and the current President of Kazakhstan, a position he has held since March 2019. Let’s dive into the life and times of this Kazakhstani hero.

Early Life & Career

KJ’s journey began in 1953 when he was born in Almaty, capital of Kazakh SSR. He graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, which is probably where he learned to pronounce his own name correctly. He then went on to become Kazakhstan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1994, a position he held until becoming the state’s Senate Chairman in 2007.

The Presidential Path

After his predecessor, Nursultan Nazarbayev, stepped down in 2019, KJ was elected President. KJ must have some serious charisma because he won the election with 70.96% of the vote, making it seem like his competitors didn’t even stand a chance. However, many people believe that this may have had something to do with the fact that his name is extremely fun to say.

Legacy

As President, KJ has implemented various reforms to strengthen Kazakhstan’s economy, making it an attractive destination for foreign investment. He’s also been a big advocate for human rights and has taken steps to improve access to education and medical care in Kazakhstan. But let’s be real, he’ll probably be remembered more for his unique name than for his political accomplishments.

Personality

One thing that KJ is known for is his calm and collected demeanor. He’s often seen with a poker face, which leads many to wonder whether he’s always thinking about serious political matters or just trying to hide a funny joke. There’s even a rumor that he once snuck a whoopee cushion into a Presidential meeting, but who knows if that’s just fake news.

Fun Facts

KJ is an avid fan of the “Borat” movie franchise and has been known to quote lines like “very nice!” at official state events
He has a secret handshake with each member of his cabinet, which includes a series of complicated finger snapping
In his free time, KJ enjoys Zumba dance classes and binge-watching “The Office”