This Perspective Piece explores the historical roots of contemporary governance challenges in Kenya within the broader field of African Studies. No empirical results are presented; this piece employs an interpretive approach based on historical research and literature review to elucidate the socio-political factors contributing to contemporary challenges in governance. The historical context of Kenyan governance reveals persistent socio-political factors that continue to impact current policy decisions and public service delivery. Future research should focus on integrating historical analysis with contemporary data to better understand the evolving dynamics within African urban development studies.