GARISA (SD) – A bomb blast near the northern Kenyan town of Garissa, injuring number of people officials say.

Reports from the outskirts of Garissa say the landmine blast has hit a military convoy escorting a lawmaker in the region.

Five soldiers have so far been injured in the blast, and reports indicate that some of the soldiers are in critical condition.

The lawmaker, identified as Ibrahim Abbas, a member of Ijara parliament, was on his way to Hulugho district when targeted by the blast.

Meanwhile, police in the North Eastern Province of Kenya, have condemned the attack and blamed the Somalia based militant group Al-Shabaab.

Al-Shabaab has stepped up attacks in parts of the region, particularly in Mandera and Garissa counties, targeting security personnel.