The appointment of Janarbek Akayev, who previously held the position of a deputy in the Jogorku Kenesh, as the mayor of the city of Osh has sparked intense discussion in political circles. Akayev's vibrant personality, known as a journalist and parliamentarian, raises many questions about his ability to adapt to new conditions. The main question is whether he can transform from a public politician into a successful manager. How will he cope with the real issues related to tender processes and outdated heating systems? Political scientist Asel Omurakuna emphasizes important aspects of this situation in her post:
“It seems that Janar Akayev enthusiastically set off for Osh, believing that he would figure things out along the way. His appointment was a surprise to me for several reasons:
First, his previous activities as a journalist and deputy indicate that he is a bright, emotional, and impulsive personality, prone to sharp reactions and sensitive to criticism. While such qualities can be useful in public politics, municipal management requires a completely different approach. This is a field of constant interests, budget constraints, and the necessity of conducting complex negotiations. In such an environment, excessive emotions can turn into managerial risks.
Second, Janarbek Akayev lacks experience in municipal management and systematic executive work. A city of republican significance is a complex organism with a budget, infrastructure, tender procedures, and personnel issues. Therefore, not only political will is important here, but also knowledge of regulations, managerial logic, and discipline. Without this, the likelihood of mistakes increases, especially at the initial stage.
Third, the new mayor will inevitably be compared to the previous leader, who has already earned a reputation as an effective manager and gained a high level of public trust. This creates heightened expectations and skepticism regarding the new head. Starting from such a challenging initial position is extremely difficult, and PR alone is not enough.
It is important to understand that this is not about personal preferences or antipathies. Managing a large city is not a platform for political growth “on the go.” There is a high degree of responsibility here, where the cost of a mistake can be measured by the quality of life of hundreds of thousands of people.”
