The Truth Behind the Accusations Against the Kenitra Festival: Political Misrepresentations and Documented Facts
Oussar Ahmed
After 12 years of cultural and artistic stagnation under the management of the Justice and Development Party in Kenitra, the city is beginning to breathe again. The emergence of the “Kenitra Festival” initiative, as the first glimmer of hope, was immediately met with a disinformation campaign led by the same parties responsible for the cultural void for a decade.
In this context, the party mobilized, through its parliamentary deputy Mustafa Ibrahim, to rally public opinion by directing a written question to the Minister of the Interior that included inaccurate allegations and claims lacking credibility. Among the most notable assertions was the claim that the municipality had spent 4.8 million dirhams on the festival association without a clear contractual framework.
However, the reality contradicts this narrative, as official data confirms that direct support from the municipality did not exceed 1 million dirhams, while the Ministry of the Interior contributed 3.8 million dirhams as part of a public policy to support cultural initiatives that reaffirm the local territorial identity.
These facts are reinforced by insights from informed sources, who confirm that all financial and administrative procedures related to the funding were carried out in accordance with the prevailing laws and were endorsed by the relevant authorities, without any recorded violations or excesses.
The developments around the file go beyond political controversy, as a private source explained to “Express TV” that the festival, scheduled to take place from August 23 to 25, aims to present an exceptional edition backed by a rich programming and effective contributions from private sponsors who view culture as a means to stimulate the local economy and create real job opportunities.
Preparations are moving swiftly on multiple levels to ensure an organized event that includes artistic nights, heritage displays, sports competitions, environmental activities, and tourist attractions at Mahdia beach, as well as recreational spaces aimed at children.
This cultural project transcends being merely a seasonal event; it embodies a local political will to leverage culture as a tool for development and revitalization of the city. This development unsettles adversaries who are accustomed to exploiting the cultural void to promote a populist political discourse, distant from the aspirations of Kenitra’s residents.
