Akezhan Kazhegeldin (Kazakh: ?????? ????????? ??????????, Ákejan Ma?januly Qajygeldin, ?????? ????????? ??????????; born on 27 March 1952 in the Zharma District, Kazakh SSR) served as the 2nd Prime Minister of Kazakhstan from 12 October 1994 until his resignation on 10 October 1997, ostensibly for health reasons, though many saw it as an act protesting authoritarianism in Kazakhstan.