Kerey and Janibek Khans

Kerey and Janibek belonged to the dynasty of the khans of the White Horde, heirs of the Golden Horde. In the mid-15th century they migrated to Zhetysu (Semirechye) with tribes discontented with the rule of the Uzbek khan Abu'l-Khayr.

In 1465 they proclaimed the independent Kazakh Khanate in the Chu valley, and the tribes gathered around them came to be known as "Kazakhs" — "free, independent people".

Kazakhstan widely celebrated the 550th anniversary of the Kazakh Khanate in 2015, and a monument to both khans stands in Astana.