The foreign affairs ministry says Kenyans have duped by unscrupulous agents who promise non-existent jobs.

It says it will now vet all agents recruiting housekeepers and maids.

Until the new rules are ready, Kenyan citizens are barred from seeking work in the Middle East as domestic workers.

Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia sent a team to Kenya to discuss the issue.

The Saudi government insisted their laws protect foreign workers.

It also blames brokers and says it has blacklisted some recruitment agencies from dealing with them.

Some 3,000 Kenyans are believed to be working in Saudi Arabia, according to the International Organization of Migration.