Biblical teachings relate that, while Noah was building the ark, he attempted to warn his neighbors of the coming deluge, but was ignored or mocked him. The rest of the people decided they could climb the highest hills and trees to survive. But that was not to be! They were all swept away.

You have heard it before. People warned of looming disasters, but no one heeds the advice.

We line up to get a free drink, we sign up for free checking accounts, and were happy to get a free gift with the purchase of our next car. We love free stuff, even though we all know and understand that free is an illusion.

After that free drink, we pay for the next three. The bank is making money by investing what we put in that checking account. The car dealer can afford to give away a small gift because the profit on the car is large.

But none of this seems to bother us free things still have a certain allure. But is the concept of free taking us down a dangerous road?

Hells Gate park

The floods devastating swathes of Kenya during this rainy season are no different. Heavy rains continued to pound the country resulting in deaths due to floods. The Weathermen once again warned people living in flood-prone areas to move to safer parts to avert disaster.

In its monthly forecast, the Meteorological Department warned agencies that deal with disasters to be on the lookout for heavy flooding and mudslides.

We are at the moment experiencing a lot of rains especially in (around) Lake Victoria, Mau Escarpment and Mt Elgon, which may lead to floods, said the Senior Assistant Director, Mr Samwel Mwangi.

Despite warnings from the Met, not many people heeded the advice.

Only a few weeks ago, six bodies were recovered from Hells Gate National Park in Naivasha where a leisure tour turned tragic on a sunny Sunday as deadly floods swept seven people to their death.

In the same location, near Mt Longonot, residents have noticed huge gashes/gulches in the ground with warnings of an impending volcano eruption. But despite the caution they sat put. Instead they want the government to relocate them.

Many Kenyans have been swept away by floods, but the real question is why they succumb to natural disasters even after being warned in advance. What makes an adult of sound mind ignore valid advice to dice with death? Is it that our warning system is faulty or that Kenyans do not take them seriously?