On the eve of their professional holiday, journalists in Astana received apartment keys from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
The event was organized by the Dara Presidential Initiatives Fund.
Presidential adviser and press secretary Aibek Smadiyarov congratulated media representatives on the holiday and noted that the program to support media workers, initiated by the head of state, has been ongoing for the fourth consecutive year.
According to him, this year the project expanded beyond the capital for the first time. Journalists not only in Astana but also in the regions received apartments.
"The goal of this initiative is to support journalists and develop regional journalism. This year, our colleagues from the most remote corners of the country will also receive their own housing. Journalists from Arkalyk in Kostanay region and Sozak district in Turkestan region will celebrate housewarming," said Aibek Smadiyarov.
In total, in 2026, media workers will receive 66 apartments: 15 in Astana, 15 in Almaty, and another 36 apartments will be distributed among 18 regions of the country — two each.
The lists of journalists in need of improved housing conditions were compiled jointly by the Dara Presidential Initiatives Fund, the Presidential Administration, local executive bodies, and media editorial offices.
Over the previous three years, 200 workers of Kazakhstani mass media became holders of housing certificates from the president.
Earlier, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke at a ceremony honoring media workers on their professional holiday. He congratulated media workers and announced that this year, for the first time, media workers in the regions would receive apartment keys. In his speech, the president also called on the media to combat information manipulation and strongly condemned the promotion of a idle lifestyle.