Johannesburg - The bodyguard and driver of Kenya's deputy chief justice was shot and injured Tuesday evening, police said, just two days ahead of a controversial election re-run that has the East African nation on edge.

Titus Musyoka, a police constable attached to Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, was shot at close range by gunmen on a motorbike, police officer Rashid Muhammed said.

The bodyguard was driving Mwilu's official car to run an errand when he was shot, Muhammed added. However, local media reported she was not in the car with him at the time.

The bodyguard was taken to hospital and police said the attack is being treated as robbery.

Tensions have been high in Kenya ahead of Thursday's presidential election re-run.