Counterfeiting has become a pervasive and  evolving challenge for manufacturers across industries worldwide. This is driven by advances in technology and globalization. This study provides an overview of the current trends and emerging threats related to counterfeiting practices among manufacturers.

One notable trend is the proliferation of online marketplaces and e-commerce platforms that facilitate the sale of counterfeit products. The anonymity provided by the internet has empowered counterfeiters to reach a global audience, making it increasingly challenging to monitor and enforce anti-counterfeiting measures.

This study was carried out in the financial year 2022-3 in Nairobi County. The objectives included to establish the extent firms sell their products online, trends and impact of counterfeiting, main channels used by counterfeiters, most counterfeited goods and challenges faced by the industry and strategies to address the counterfeiting menace. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were employed in this study,

Major findings revealed that the trends of counterfeiting from 2021 to 2022 increased. Online sales revenue account for about 16%. Common channels used to distribute counterfeits include retail stores 31.9%, street vendors/hawkers 27.6%, online platforms 20.3% and supply chain infiltration stands at 20.6%. Some of the challenges manufacturer face include high cost of enforcement, supply chain integrity, implementing effective anti-counterfeiting technology.

Some of the recommendations from this study; Manufacturers should invest in educating consumers on the risks of counterfeit products  and provide clear guidelines for product authentication. The recommended government actions, such as stricter regulations, increased penalties, and investment in technological solutions, align with the need for a comprehensive and multi-stakeholder approach to combat counterfeiting effectively.